FOLLOWING recent calls by bloodthirsty group Boko Haram that retired General Mohammed Buhari negotiate with the Nigerian government on its behalf, and the retired general’s refusal to acquiesce to the group’s request,
THE presidency came out with a stinging indictment of Buhari on Thursday, accusing him of inciting violence following his loss in the presidential election of 2010.
The allegation followed a recent invitation sent to retired General Muhammadu Buhari by the violent Islamic sect popularly known as Boko Haram for the retired general to represent it in its proposed ceasefire negotiations with the federal government.
Mr. Buhari, who turned down the offer claimed he didn’t know any member of the group and went ahead to criticize the Jonathan-led government as incapable of managing Nigeria’s security challenged.
But Dr. Doyin Okupe, the senior special assistant to President Jonathan on public affairs, responded on Thursday by questioning Buhari’s right to criticize government’s handling of Nigeria’s security challenges, saying that Gen. Buhari once advocated for violence in Nigeria.
Speaking further, Dr. Okupe described Gen. Buhari’s claim that Boko Haram is a creation of the government as “ridiculous”.
“Those who sow the wind and the nation is reaping the whirlwind should not try and begin to look good,” Okupe said, recalling what he said was Buhari’s call for violence.