Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has urged Nigerians to resist what he described as foreign interference in the country’s affairs amid moves to release documents reportedly connected to drug-trafficking investigations involving President Bola Tinubu more than three decades ago.
Buratai made the call in a position paper titled “Nigeria First: A Case for Protecting National Sovereignty and Dignity – A Patriotic and Non-Partisan Perspective,” which he published on his verified Facebook page.
The retired general argued that the controversy should not be allowed to damage Nigeria’s international reputation or undermine the country’s sovereignty.
His comments followed reports that a United States District Court for the District of Columbia gave Tinubu, the FBI and the US Department of Justice until August 28, 2026, to oppose the release of documents linked to the alleged investigations.
Buratai said the issue had moved beyond Tinubu as an individual, arguing that the potential disclosure could have broader consequences for Nigeria and its citizens.
“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.
He warned that international media reports about a Nigerian president being linked to drug allegations could affect how the country and its citizens are perceived globally.
Buratai also argued that the allegations, which date back approximately 33 years, should be viewed within the context of the period in which they allegedly occurred rather than being used to define Tinubu’s entire political career.
He questioned whether a person should be judged permanently by alleged actions from more than three decades ago, pointing to Tinubu’s subsequent political career, including his tenure as Lagos State governor and his rise to the presidency.
The former Army chief also raised concerns over the involvement of a US court in determining the reputation of a sitting Nigerian president.
“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.
Buratai maintained that Nigeria has its own institutions and democratic mechanisms for addressing questions surrounding its leaders.
He further warned that the controversy could have economic implications if international investors interpreted it as evidence of political instability, potentially affecting foreign investment, development partnerships, remittances, tourism and Nigerian businesses operating internationally.
He also linked the timing of any potential document release to the 2027 elections, warning that disclosure could, in his view, create opportunities for foreign actors to influence Nigeria’s democratic process.
However, Buratai stressed that defending national sovereignty should not amount to shielding political leaders 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.
He called on the Federal Government to pursue diplomatic engagement with the United States while urging Tinubu’s legal team to use every available legal argument against the release of the documents.
Buratai also advocated stronger domestic institutions capable of addressing questions surrounding the conduct and accountability of Nigerian leaders.
“This is not about defending Tinubu the individual; it is about defending Nigeria,” he said.
He concluded by urging Nigerians to defend the country’s dignity while avoiding an unconditional endorsement of any political leader.
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