The immediate past governor of Borno State, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, has denied allegations that he formed Boko Haram, insisting that the sect had been there years before he became governor.
Sheriff, who spoke to State House correspondents shortly after a closed-door meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, denied that he was summoned and quizzed by the State Security Services (SSS).
He said he went to the SSS on his own account, but did not explain why. He also denied that he apologised to Boko Haram.
"Boko Haram had been in existence before I became a governor. The so-called [original] leader of Boko Haram was arrested and was executed in Abuja before I even thought of becoming the governor of Borno State. So, people make comments on what they don't know and in life, you don't speak on matters that you are not very competent. Whoever said that I am a mentor of Boko Haram is most unfortunate and it has no truth in the statement," Sheriff explained.