Buratai Urges Nigerians to Resist Foreign Scrutiny of Tinubu

Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), former Chief of Army Staff, called on Nigerians to resist foreign interference concerning allegations against President Bola Tinubu related to drug trafficking from over three decades ago. In a position paper titled “Nigeria First: A Case for Protecting National Sovereignty and Dignity,” posted on his verified Facebook page, Buratai expressed concern over the implications of a U.S.

District Court's decision allowing the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice until August 28, 2026, to oppose the release of documents linked to these allegations. He argued that the controversy surrounding Tinubu should not tarnish Nigeria's international image or sovereignty, stating that it affects the pride and prospects of 250 million Nigerians.

Buratai insisted that the allegations should be contextualized within the time they occurred and not solely define Tinubu’s political career, highlighting his contributions as Lagos State governor and in national politics. He questioned the legitimacy of a foreign court determining the character of Nigeria's president.