Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has called on Nigerians to reject what he described as foreign interference in the country’s affairs amid moves to release documents concerning drug-trafficking investigations allegedly 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,” published on his verified Facebook page on Sunday.

The retired general said the issue had implications beyond Tinubu, arguing that the possible release of the documents could affect Nigeria’s international reputation, economic interests and sovereignty.

A United States District Court for the District of Columbia had reportedly given Tinubu, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice until August 28, 2026, to oppose the release of documents linked to the alleged investigations.

“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.”

Buratai said the international attention surrounding the allegations could lead to Nigeria being associated with claims against its president, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the allegations.

“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.”

He also argued that the allegations, which date back about 33 years, should not be considered in isolation from the subsequent decades of Tinubu’s public and political career.

“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?”

Buratai pointed to Tinubu’s time as governor of Lagos State and his later involvement in national politics as part of the broader record that should be considered when assessing the President.

He said the country should not allow allegations concerning events from decades ago to determine how Nigeria and its leadership are perceived internationally.

The former Army chief also raised concerns about the sovereignty implications of a foreign court becoming involved in questions surrounding the reputation of a sitting Nigerian President.

“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 maintained that Nigeria has its own democratic institutions and mechanisms for addressing allegations and questions concerning public officials.

“We did not elect an American court to vet our leaders. We did not ask the FBI to determine the character of our president,”

Buratai urged political actors to avoid reducing the matter to a party dispute, saying national interest should remain the priority.

He further warned that the controversy could carry economic consequences if international investors viewed it as evidence of instability in Nigeria.

According to him, possible areas of impact include foreign direct investment, international development partnerships, diaspora remittances, tourism and the overseas operations of Nigerian businesses.

“These are not abstract concerns; they are concrete threats to the livelihoods of everyday Nigerians,”

The retired general also connected the issue to the 2027 general elections, warning that the timing of any potential document release could have consequences for Nigeria’s democratic process.

He said a release ahead of the election could give foreign actors “an unprecedented influence over the outcome of Nigerian elections,” and urged Nigerians to remain alert to developments that could affect the country’s political sovereignty.

Buratai, however, said his argument for protecting national sovereignty should not be interpreted as opposition to accountability.

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“This does not mean that leaders should be immune from accountability. It means that accountability must be pursued in ways that respect the dignity of the office and the nation,”

He called on the Federal Government to pursue diplomatic engagement with the United States and urged Tinubu’s legal team to use all available legal arguments to challenge the release of the documents.

He also recommended greater national solidarity, public education, engagement with Nigerians in the diaspora and the preparation of a communication strategy should the court eventually order the disclosure.

Buratai said Nigeria should simultaneously strengthen its domestic institutions to ensure that issues concerning the conduct and accountability of its leaders can be addressed through the country’s own democratic and legal processes.

He also said Nigeria’s dignity should not amount to unconditional support for any political leader, but rather a broader effort to protect the country’s sovereignty and national interest.