Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad has argued that former President Goodluck Jonathan should not bear sole responsibility for the rise and activities of the Boko Haram insurgency, saying the security crisis evolved over several years and involved multiple factors beyond any single administration.
Ahmad made the remarks amid renewed public debate over the origins and escalation of Boko Haram’s violent campaign in Nigeria’s North-East region. His comments have reignited discussions about the roles played by successive governments in addressing one of the country’s most devastating security challenges.
The former aide to ex-President Muhammadu Buhari maintained that while Boko Haram expanded significantly during Jonathan’s administration, it would be inaccurate to place the entire blame for the insurgency on the former Nigerian leader. According to him, the group’s emergence and growth were influenced by a complex combination of political, social, economic, and security issues that predated Jonathan’s presidency.
Boko Haram, which began as a radical Islamist movement in the early 2000s, transformed into a violent insurgent group following clashes with security forces and the death of its founder, Mohammed Yusuf, in 2009. Over the years, the group carried out attacks on civilians, military formations, schools, religious institutions, and government facilities, leading to thousands of deaths and widespread displacement.
Ahmad noted that the insurgency became a national challenge that required collective action from federal and state governments, security agencies, regional partners, and local communities. He argued that attributing the entire crisis to one administration oversimplifies a complicated security issue that evolved over time.
“Boko Haram did not start and develop overnight,” Ahmad reportedly said. “The insurgency was shaped by several factors, and it is important to view the issue within its broader historical and political context.”
His comments come as political figures and commentators continue to debate the effectiveness of past administrations in combating terrorism and insecurity. Jonathan, who served as president from 2010 to 2015, faced intense criticism during his tenure as Boko Haram expanded its operations across parts of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
The insurgency gained international attention in 2014 following the abduction of more than 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State. The incident sparked global outrage and intensified pressure on the government to strengthen its response to the growing security threat.
Supporters of Jonathan have often argued that his administration inherited a deteriorating security situation and took significant steps to combat the insurgency, including increasing military operations, seeking international support, and investing in security infrastructure. Critics, however, contend that the government was slow to respond effectively during the early stages of the crisis.
Ahmad’s intervention has drawn mixed reactions from political observers. Some agree that Boko Haram’s rise cannot be attributed solely to one administration and that the insurgency reflects deeper structural challenges facing Nigeria. Others insist that governments must be held accountable for their responses to security threats during their time in office.
Security analysts point out that Boko Haram remained a major concern under subsequent administrations, including that of former President Muhammadu Buhari, despite military gains recorded against the group. They note that insurgent factions continued to carry out attacks in parts of the North-East while new security threats emerged in other regions of the country.
Experts say the Boko Haram crisis highlights the need for long-term strategies that address not only military challenges but also poverty, unemployment, weak governance, and limited access to education in vulnerable communities. Many believe that sustainable peace can only be achieved through a combination of security operations and socio-economic development initiatives.
The debate over responsibility for the insurgency remains a sensitive issue in Nigeria’s political landscape. As the country continues to confront security challenges, discussions about past responses often resurface as part of broader conversations about governance and leadership.
Analysts argue that lessons from the Boko Haram crisis should guide future policymaking and security reforms. They stress the importance of strengthening intelligence gathering, improving coordination among security agencies, and investing in community-based approaches to counter extremism.
As reactions to Ahmad’s comments continue, the discussion serves as a reminder of the lasting impact Boko Haram has had on Nigeria. More than a decade after the insurgency intensified, affected communities are still recovering from the human, economic, and social consequences of the conflict.
While opinions differ on who should bear responsibility, there is broad agreement that addressing the root causes of insecurity and preventing future crises must remain a national priority.
