Former Nigerian Head of State, Gen. Muhamadu Buhari (rtd.) was never at any time accused by the country’s Presidency of being the sponsor of the Boko Haram insurgents.

This was made yesterday evening by Dr. Olusanya Awosan, the Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Public Relations.

“The Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs has denied a report circulating online that Dr, Doyin Okupe has identified Alhaji Muhammadu Buhari as the main sponsor of the Boko Haram group,” Awosan said in a statement made available to News Express.

“The office has described the story as false and the handiwork of evil persons who are out to tarnish the image of Dr. Okupe and cause disaffection in the country by setting citizens against each other and against government,” Awosan added.

The statement advised journalists to always crosscheck with it before going to press “as we are ready to volunteer information as we have always done.”

It also enjoined “the good people of Nigeria to discountenance this fictitious report because at no time did Dr. Okupe identify the former Head of State as a sponsor of Boko Haram.”

•Photo: Ex-Head of State Buhari.