I owe no one explanations over ambassadorial appointment - Buratai

The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd.), has responded to concerns over his recent appointment by the president after his resignation.

According to Gen. Buratai, he owes no one an explanation over his appointment as a non-career ambassador.

Speaking to journalists at a special gala night in Abuja on Saturday, February 6, 2021, he noted that being a non-politician warrants him the ability to serve as an ambassador, having performed well as the past COAS.

The event was organised by members of the 29th Regular Course Association of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

General Buratai and other service chiefs resigned from office on January 26, 2021, after several calls for their dismissal following the rising insecurity concerns in the country.

However, President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), replaced them with new officers, including Maj. Gen. Lucky Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Awwal Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, as Chief of the Air Staff.

Buratai and his colleagues were thereafter, appointed non-career ambassadors on February 4, 2021, just nine days after their resignation as Service Chiefs.

Reacting to the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) criticism of their appointment, Buratai said, “It’s an honourable retirement and also an honourable appointment. I’m not a politician, so I have no word for the opposition. I have done well”.

Adding that, “I am happy that in July last year, my officers at the Army headquarters compiled a compendium of my achievements.

“In fact, I can’t even remember all the projects that we have executed. Is it in terms of infrastructure? Is it in terms of capacity building? Is it in terms of training?

“Since I was appointed, there was never a dull moment in terms of training. Remember the various exercises. These are training exercises from ‘Python dance’, ‘Crocodile smile’, and even the latest one ‘Exercise Sahel Sanity’.

“Is it in the area of medical? In terms of education of our children and wards, the Nigerian Army University are all great achievements.”