A former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has attributed his appointment to his father’s love for the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.).
He also said although it was a tough time serving as COAS, the service chiefs weathered the storm, adding, “I am retired but definitely not tired insha Allah.”
Buratai and other service chiefs reportedly resigned from office on January 26 after months of calls for their sacking following the rising insecurity in different parts of the country.
He and his colleagues were subsequently appointed non-career ambassadors on February 4, just nine days after their resignation as service chiefs.
Buratai spoke with journalists at a special gala night organised in his honour by members of the 29th Regular Course Association of the Nigerian Defence Academy in Abuja, on Saturday.
According to him, his appointment in July 2015 was a prize for the loyalty of his father, Yusuf Buratai to Buhari.
The PUNCH reported that Buratai’s father, Yusuf, was a non-commissioned officer in the Royal West African Frontier Force and a World War II veteran who fought in Burma.
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Buratai said, “My father was an ardent lover of the President and my appointment as COAS therefore was a prize or reward for that gesture by the President.
“Of course, and as you have been told, we (the President and I) met in Njemena and he saw me and felt I was the right person to be COAS at that very crucial and critical moment of our history.
“And I am happy that we have discharged our responsibilities diligently, professionally and loyally, and I will continue to discharge my responsibilities to him and of course to our country and our people.”
He said the event organised for him showed that he did well as the country’s Chief of Army Staff.
He also thanked Buhari on his new appointment as an Ambassador designate, adding that he would continue to do the country proud and project its image in good light wherever he would be deployed.
“It was a tough time but we’ve weathered the storm. I am retired but definitely not tired insha Allah. We have left great legacies in the Nigerian Army that I hope will last the test of time by God’s grace,” Buratai stated.
Buratai said he owed no one explanations over his appointment as a non-career ambassador.
Asked to react to the People’s Democratic Party’s criticism of their appointment, Buratai said he would not respond to the PDP’s statement, insisting, “I am not a politician.”
