Advisor Denies Linking Former Nigerian President Buhari to Boko Haram
https://nigeriaafrica1.blogspot.com/2013/04/advisor-denies-linking-former-nigerian.html
An advisor to Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has denied reports that he named Muhammadu Buhari, the country’s former leader, as a sponsor of the militant group, Boko Haram.
Doyin Okupe, Jonathan’s senior special assistant on public affairs, said the reports were a calculated attempt to hamper the president’s efforts to deal with the security threat posed by Boko Haram.
“There are people who want to damage my reputation and, through me, damage the president and the government,” said Okupe. “These are just some funny and wicked attempts by those who hate the government trying to discredit [us]. There is no iota of truth in it [and] I never said it.”
Reports circulating on social media platforms in Nigeria also quoted Okupe as saying Boko Haram was an “inevitable consequence of the Islamic religion.” But Okupe said the reports were false and an attempt by opponents to cause disaffection in the country by pitting citizens against each other and against the administration.
Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the militant Islamic sect Boko Haram, rejected the idea of any potential amnesty offered by the government.
His comments came after religious, political and traditional leaders in northern Nigeria called for granting some kind of amnesty to Boko Haram, and also after President Jonathan formed a committee to discuss a possible deal.
Okupe says the government will continue its work to resolve the security crisis posed by Boko Haram and other groups.
“There are people who want to damage my reputation and, through me, damage the president and the government,” said Okupe. “These are just some funny and wicked attempts by those who hate the government trying to discredit [us]. There is no iota of truth in it [and] I never said it.”
Reports circulating on social media platforms in Nigeria also quoted Okupe as saying Boko Haram was an “inevitable consequence of the Islamic religion.” But Okupe said the reports were false and an attempt by opponents to cause disaffection in the country by pitting citizens against each other and against the administration.
Abubakar Shekau, the leader of the militant Islamic sect Boko Haram, rejected the idea of any potential amnesty offered by the government.
His comments came after religious, political and traditional leaders in northern Nigeria called for granting some kind of amnesty to Boko Haram, and also after President Jonathan formed a committee to discuss a possible deal.
Okupe says the government will continue its work to resolve the security crisis posed by Boko Haram and other groups.
