- Buratai says the controversy over 33-year-old allegations against Tinubu goes beyond the President to Nigeria’s sovereignty and reputation.
- The former Army chief warns that disclosure of the US documents could affect Nigeria’s image, investment and 2027 elections.
- He urges the Federal Government to engage the United States diplomatically while stressing that accountability must not be compromised.
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 over moves to release documents concerning allegations involving President Bola Tinubu more than three decades ago.
Eko Hot Blog reports that 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,” published on his verified Facebook page on Sunday.
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The retired general argued that the controversy should not be treated solely as an issue concerning Tinubu, warning that the possible release of the documents could have broader implications for Nigeria’s reputation and sovereignty.
A United States District Court for the District of Columbia has reportedly given Tinubu, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the US Department of Justice until August 28, 2026, to oppose the release of documents linked to alleged investigations involving the President.
Buratai said the matter had moved beyond the personality of the President, stressing that Nigerians should be concerned about how the controversy could affect the country’s standing internationally.
“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 said.
According to him, international coverage of allegations linking a Nigerian president to drug-related investigations could affect perceptions of the country and its citizens.
Buratai also argued that the allegations date back about 33 years and should be considered within the context of the period in which they allegedly occurred.
He questioned whether a person should be judged exclusively by events from decades earlier despite subsequent political and public service.
The former Army chief cited Tinubu’s tenure as governor of Lagos State and his subsequent rise in national politics as part of the broader context that should be considered when assessing his record.
He further questioned whether a foreign court should have a role 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 democratic institutions and processes for addressing questions concerning its 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.
The retired general also warned that the controversy could have economic consequences if investors interpreted it as evidence of political instability.
He identified foreign direct investment, international partnerships, diaspora remittances, tourism and the operations of Nigerian businesses abroad as areas that could potentially be affected by a reputational crisis.
Buratai also raised concerns about the timing of the possible document release ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He argued that releasing the documents close to the election could give foreign actors significant influence over Nigeria’s political process.
However, Buratai clarified that his position should not be interpreted as a demand for political leaders to be protected from scrutiny or 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 engage the United States diplomatically and urged Tinubu’s legal team to use all available legal avenues to challenge the release of the documents.
Buratai also advocated national solidarity, public education and engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora, alongside the development of a communication strategy should the court eventually order the disclosure.
He said Nigeria must strengthen its domestic institutions to ensure that matters concerning the conduct and accountability of its leaders can be addressed through credible national processes.
Concluding his position, Buratai said his intervention was not about giving Tinubu unconditional support but about protecting Nigeria’s interests.
“This is not about defending Tinubu the individual; it is about defending Nigeria,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to approach the controversy from the standpoint of national interest, saying the country’s dignity should not be determined by foreign legal proceedings concerning events from the distant past.
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