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 allegedly linked 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 shared on his verified Facebook page on Sunday.
The former Army chief said the controversy should not be allowed to damage Nigeria’s international reputation or undermine the country’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 relating to the alleged investigations.
Buratai argued that the issue had gone beyond the President’s personality, saying the possible release of the documents could have broader implications 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 said.
He expressed concern that international media coverage of the allegations could negatively affect Nigeria’s image, arguing that foreign audiences might associate the allegations against the President with the country as a whole.
“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 said.
The retired general maintained that the allegations, which date back about 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 individuals or nations should be judged solely on events from decades earlier.
“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.
Buratai said Tinubu’s political career, including his tenure as governor of Lagos State and subsequent involvement in national politics, should also be considered when assessing his character and contribution to the country.
He further questioned whether a foreign court should play a role in determining the reputation of Nigeria’s sitting President, describing the issue as one that raises broader questions 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, Nigeria has its own institutions and democratic 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.
He called on political leaders across party lines to avoid turning the controversy into a partisan dispute, stressing that national interest should take precedence over political affiliations.
Buratai also warned that the potential disclosure could have economic repercussions if international investors interpreted the controversy as a sign of political instability.
He identified foreign direct investment, international development partnerships, diaspora remittances, tourism and the overseas operations of Nigerian businesses as areas that could be affected by a reputational crisis.
“These are not abstract concerns; they are concrete threats to the livelihoods of everyday Nigerians,” he said.
The former Army chief also linked the controversy to the 2027 general elections, arguing that the timing of any potential disclosure could have implications for Nigeria’s democratic process.
