Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has called on Nigerians to resist what he described as foreign interference in the country’s affairs.
Naija News reports that his appeal comes amidst a move to release documents allegedly linked to drug-trafficking investigations against President Bola Tinubu.
However, in a position paper titled “Nigeria First: A Case for Protecting National Sovereignty and Dignity, A Patriotic and Non-Partisan Perspective,” posted on his Facebook page on Sunday, Buratai urged Nigerians not to let the controversy undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
A United States District Court for the District of Columbia reportedly gave Tinubu, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Justice until August 28, 2026, to oppose the release of documents involving the alleged investigations.
The former Army chief lamented that the development had gone beyond the President’s personality, insisting that the possible disclosure of the documents could have wider implications for Nigeria and its citizens.
He stated, “This is not merely about Bola Tinubu, it is about 250 million Nigerians whose national pride, economic prospects, and global standing hang in the balance.”
He argued that the situation should concern Nigerians, as the development would smear the country’s image.
He said, “When the world reads headlines about a ‘Nigerian president’ linked to drug allegations, they do not separate the man from the nation. They see Nigeria. They see Nigerians.”
Buratai maintained that the allegations, dating back about 33 years, should not be used to define Tinubu’s entire political career.
He asked, “Can any Nigerian honestly claim that they are the same person they were 33 years ago? Can any nation claim that its leaders should be judged exclusively by the actions of their youth rather than by their decades of subsequent service?”
The retired general said Tinubu’s political career, including his tenure as governor of Lagos State and other roles in politics, should also be considered in assessing his character and contribution to Nigeria.
He argued that the country’s reputation should not be allowed to suffer because of allegations concerning events that allegedly occurred decades ago.
The former Army chief also questioned the implication of a foreign court determining the character of a sitting Nigerian President, arguing that such a development raised broader issues about national sovereignty.
“Does the United States have the right to determine the reputation of Nigeria’s head of state? Should a foreign court be the arbiter of character for a man elected by millions of Nigerians?” he asked.
According to Buratai, Nigerians have domestic institutions and democratic processes through which they should address questions about their leaders.
“We did not elect an American court to vet our leaders. We did not ask the FBI to determine the character of our president,” he stated.
Buratai further warned that the disclosure could have economic consequences, particularly if international investors interpreted the controversy as an indication of political instability.
“These are not abstract concerns; they are concrete threats to the livelihoods of everyday Nigerians,” he said.
Buratai, however, stressed that his position should not be interpreted as a call to shield leaders from accountability.
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