Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has urged Nigerians to resist foreign interference in the country’s domestic affairs, warning that the release of documents allegedly linked to drug-trafficking investigations involving President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could have serious consequences for Nigeria.
Mr Buratai made the call amid renewed efforts to compel the United States government to release documents reportedly connected to investigations involving the President.
The retired general warned that the disclosure of the documents could affect national unity, Nigeria’s international reputation and the country’s sovereignty.
Mr Buratai stated this in a position paper titled, “Nigeria First: A Case for Protecting National Sovereignty and Dignity – A Patriotic and Non-Partisan Perspective,” published on his verified Facebook page on Sunday.
According to him, the controversy surrounding Tinubu should not be allowed to damage Nigeria’s image or undermine its sovereignty, arguing that the issue has gone beyond the personality of the President.
“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 stated.
Mr Buratai said Nigerians should be concerned about the potential impact of international media coverage of the allegations, arguing that the country’s image could suffer if the documents were made public. “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,” he said.
The former army chief also questioned the relevance of reviving a case dating back 33 years, particularly if, in his view, the matter was being used for political purposes. “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?” he asked.
He argued that Tinubu’s political career, including his tenure as governor of Lagos State and subsequent involvement in national politics, should also be considered in assessing his character and contributions to the country.
Mr Buratai further questioned whether foreign institutions should determine the reputation of Nigeria’s elected leaders. “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 him, Nigeria has democratic institutions and legal processes through which allegations and questions concerning its leaders should be addressed. “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 said.
The retired general urged political leaders across party lines not to turn the controversy into a partisan battle, insisting that national interest should take precedence over political affiliations. “These are not abstract concerns; they are concrete threats to the livelihoods of everyday Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Buratai also linked the controversy to the 2027 general elections, warning that the timing of any disclosure could potentially influence Nigeria’s democratic process. He argued that releasing the documents ahead of the elections could give foreign actors “an unprecedented influence over the outcome of Nigerian elections.”
He, therefore, urged Nigerians to be cautious about developments that, in his assessment, could undermine the country’s political sovereignty or allow external actors to influence domestic electoral outcomes.
Mr Buratai, however, clarified that his position should not be interpreted as a call for political leaders to be shielded from accountability. “This does not mean that leaders should be immune from accountability. It means that accountability must be pursued in ways that respect the dignity of the office and the nation,” he said.
