As the 2023 general elections inches closer, Former Chief of Army Staff, Brig General Tukur Buratai has urged Nigerians to give the All Progressives Congress (APC) the benefit of doubt for another four years to carry on the foundation laid by President Muhammadu Buhari since 2015.
Buratai said the president has subdued Boko Haram, advising Nigerians they if after eight years the APC does not meet their expectations then they may wish to take a decisive action including democratic revolution, adding that Nigeria should be much better than what it is today.
Buratai in an interview with journalists revealed that he is now a democrat and an APC member. “I have ideas and ideals that the APC can safeguard. I also believe that the party means well for Nigeria, and also stands a better chance of winning the presidential elections. We are working round the clock to ensure that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu wins the election. I encourage you to vote for your choice, but if you want to hear my opinion, I would say vote for the APC.”
Speaking on the elections, he urged Nigerians to shun violence and disassociate themselves from politicians who want to use violence to disrupt the system.
“Let’s allow the process to work as it should. I am confident that INEC is going to do a better job this year than in 2019, and insha Allah, the elections will be peaceful, free, and fair. The PDP has been tested for 16 years; Nigerians should give APC the benefit of doubt for another 8 years.”
On Buhari’s fight against insurgency, he said the president has subdued Boko Haram.
“As his premier Chief of Army Staff, and as the longest one that served under him for that matter, I think I owe it a duty to Nigerians and the whole world to say it as it is. The president subdued Boko Haram. Greater details will be revealed in my memoire in the future. How did he do it, and what are the parameters or yardsticks to ascertain the veracity or otherwise of this assertion? They are what I intend to address in my memoire.”
Speaking further, he condemned the murder of Boko Haram leader, Muhammad Yusuf by the police, saying it was clearly extrajudicial.
“Negligence, complacency, and collusion with the proponents and strategic leaders of the Boko Haram insurgency for selfish reasons caused the insurgency to degenerate into a full blown nightmare. In that statement, the President made it clear that there were lapses in the way our police operate. Notwithstanding, he also made it clear that the methods used by members of the sect qualified them to be labelled as mindless and godless human beings.”
On efforts by the military to secure the country, he said many Nigerians appreciate the military in tackling insurgency. “It is only those who don’t see anything good in the country that don’t appreciate the effort of the government in terms of dealing with insecurity across the country. What the Nigerian military confronted and subdued is an insurgency with an international collaboration and support.
“It is what Mali is facing that despite the presence of Operation BARKHANE of French Army and the United Nations peacekeeping, Mali couldn’t cope. At the moment, the Russians have been summoned to come and assist Mali to tackle the jihadists. But the Nigerian military has subdued the insurgents, terrorists and jihadists; the northeast region is now calm and very stable. All the local government area councils that were hitherto under the control of Boko Haram have been reclaimed and people displaced from these areas have since gone back to their localities.”
The former Army Chief speaking further on the elections urged the military to stick to their constitutional role and remain apolitical.
“I understand that the military may be called in to assist the civil police at some point, but only when things are about to get out of hand. I think the electorates must not succumb to fear or intimidation. They should come out and exercise their civic duty. At the same time, all of us must be vigilant; if you see something suspicious, try to say something to the right authorities.”
