Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Henry Owen
Former President Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that the extremist group Boko Haram once nominated Muhammadu Buhari to lead their negotiation team with the Nigerian government. The disclosure was made during a recent reflection on past efforts to bring an end to the insurgency.
Jonathan explained that during the peace efforts under his administration, committees were set up to explore dialogue with Boko Haram. “One of the committees we established then, Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government,” Jonathan stated.
The former President said he believed that Buhari’s involvement could have paved the way for an effective negotiation, potentially leading to the surrender of the group’s arms. “I was feeling that, if they nominated Buhari to represent them and have discussions with our government committee, then when Buhari took over, it could have been an easy way to negotiate with them, and they would have handed over their guns,” he remarked.
Despite this development, Jonathan noted that the insurgency continued to persist and remains a challenge in certain regions. “But it was still there till today,” he added, highlighting the ongoing security issues in the northeast and the complexity of addressing the Boko Haram menace.
Security experts observe that Boko Haram’s ability to nominate negotiators reflects the strategic calculations of the group in dealing with the government and underscores the challenges faced by Nigerian administrations in curbing terrorism.
Jonathan’s revelation also brings attention to the role of negotiation and dialogue as part of counter-insurgency strategies, emphasizing that leadership, trust, and strategy are critical factors in engaging with insurgent groups.
While the insurgency has been mitigated over the years through combined military and community-focused interventions, the former President’s statement reiterates that Nigeria’s fight against Boko Haram remains multifaceted and requires sustained attention from both past and present administrations.
The disclosure has sparked discussion among political observers and the public regarding past negotiation attempts and the possible alternative outcomes had earlier strategies been fully realized.
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