The former Southeast spokesman to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has cautioned former President Goodluck Jonathan to be more restrained in his public comments on sensitive national issues.
Jonathan, at the public presentation of a book titled “SCARS: Nigeria’s Journey and The Boko Haram Conundrum,” 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 while Jonathan might have intended to shed light on the complexities of the Boko Haram insurgency, the timing and content of his revelation carry “grave implications” that warrant caution.
According to Onoh, the disclosure was morally inappropriate and insensitive, particularly because Buhari had only recently passed away, leaving his family 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 criticized Jonathan for disregarding the sanctity of classified security matters, stressing that as a former head of state, he should know certain sensitive issues are deliberately shielded from public consumption 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 stated.
Onoh also suggested that Jonathan’s remarks may be politically motivated, noting that they coincided with growing speculation about his possible presidential candidacy in 2027.
“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.
“This is a disappointment to the sensibilities of Nigerians who expect former leaders to rise above partisan politics and act as unifying figures. Your statement risks deepening public cynicism and eroding trust in leadership, especially at a time when Nigeria needs cohesion to tackle ongoing security and economic challenges,” Onoh warned.
He recalled cautioning former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, over similar remarks made about the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, stressing that such posthumous claims were unfair and diminished the moral authority of those who made them.
“Leadership demands accountability, but it also requires empathy and respect for the dignity of others, particularly in death,” he said.
Onoh therefore urged Jonathan to reflect on the weight of his words and act more as a unifying figure.
“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.
