Former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has cautioned former President Goodluck Jonathan to exercise restraint when making sensitive public statements.
Jonathan, while speaking at the public presentation of the book “SCARS: Nigeria’s Journey and The Boko Haram Conundrum”, had alleged that Boko Haram insurgents once nominated the late President Muhammadu Buhari as their negotiator during his administration.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, Onoh said that although Jonathan may have intended to highlight the complexities of the insurgency, his revelation at this time carried serious implications requiring reflection and caution.
Onoh described the statement as morally inappropriate and insensitive, noting that Buhari’s recent passing means his family is still in mourning.
“To publicly associate a deceased leader with such a sensitive and unverified claim risks casting a shadow over his legacy and inflicts unnecessary pain on his loved ones.
“As a former president, you are expected to uphold the highest moral standards, demonstrating restraint and decorum, particularly when discussing matters involving a departed colleague who can no longer respond or clarify such claims. Your disclosure, especially in the context of Nigeria’s polarized political climate, appears to serve no constructive purpose and instead fuels division and mistrust,” Onoh said.
He further argued that Jonathan’s disclosure disregarded the sanctity of classified security matters, stressing that such issues are shielded from the public to protect national stability.
“During his lifetime, former President Buhari refrained from making public remarks about your administration’s handling of the Niger Delta militancy, respecting the unwritten code of discretion expected of leaders. By choosing to reveal this alleged nomination of Buhari by Boko Haram, you have breached this code, setting a dangerous precedent that undermines the confidentiality critical to governance and national security,” Onoh added.
Onoh also suggested that the timing of Jonathan’s remarks, coinciding with speculations about his potential 2027 presidential bid, risked being seen as politically driven.
“The negative implications of your statement are manifold. By waiting until the build-up to the 2027 elections to make this claim, you have inadvertently cast doubt on your intentions, leading many Nigerians to question whether this revelation is an attempt to score political points rather than contribute to a meaningful discourse on the Boko Haram crisis,” he said.
He recalled previously cautioning former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, for making unverified claims about the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, stressing that such actions undermine moral authority.
“In light of the foregoing, I respectfully urge you to reconsider the implications of such statements and exercise greater caution in your public remarks. As a former President, your words carry immense weight and can either foster unity or exacerbate division.
“Nigerians look to you to model statesmanship, not to ‘sing like a canary that cannot fly’ in pursuit of alleged political ambitions. I encourage you to focus on constructive contributions that honor the sacrifices of all leaders, including the late President Buhari, and to prioritize the healing and unity of our nation,” Onoh advised.
