Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (rtd.), has urged Nigerians to unite in defense of the country’s national dignity and sovereignty amid an ongoing legal proceeding in the United States regarding the potential release of records concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a position paper titled “Nigeria First: A Case for Protecting National Sovereignty and Dignity — A Patriotic and Non-Partisan Perspective,” Buratai argued that the matter extends beyond individual politics and touches directly on Nigeria’s standing in the international community.
The United States District Court for the District of Columbia set an August 28 deadline for President Tinubu, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Department of Justice to respond to issues surrounding the possible release of documents dating back more than three decades.
Buratai emphasized that the exposure of sensitive files requested from foreign law enforcement agencies risks casting a shadow over the entire nation, rather than just the political figures involved.
”We are not protecting Tinubu; we are protecting ourselves.
“We are protecting the millions of hardworking Nigerians who have never been accused of any wrongdoing but who will bear the stigma of this disclosure,” Buratai said.
He noted that international audiences frequently associate allegations involving a sitting head of state with the country itself, which could harm the reputation of Nigerian citizens, institutions, and businesses operating abroad. He expressed concern that sensationalized media coverage could overshadow the country’s achievements in technology, business, sports, and the arts.
Addressing the issue of state sovereignty, the former Army chief asserted that questions regarding the conduct and character of Nigerian leaders must be handled through domestic constitutional mechanisms rather than foreign courts.
”We did not elect an American court to vet our leaders.
“We have our own processes, our own institutions, and our own standards,” Buratai stated.
While clarifying that his statement was not a call to exempt leaders from accountability, he argued that allegations originating from events roughly 33 years ago should be weighed against decades of subsequent public service.
Buratai also warned of potential economic repercussions, citing risks to foreign direct investment, international trade partnerships, tourism, and diaspora relations if Nigeria’s global image suffers a setback.
To manage the fallout, the retired General called for, strategic diplomatic engagement between Nigerian and U.S. authorities; strong legal defense representation for the President; proactive public education and diaspora engagement to combat sensational narratives; long-term strengthening of domestic institutions to handle accountability internally.
Buratai, who served as Chief of Army Staff from 2015 to 2021, appealed to political leaders across party lines to avoid turning foreign court processes into local political battles, urging citizens to stand firm against external attempts to shape Nigeria’s national identity.
