The immediate past chief of army staff Lt Gen Tukur Buratai (retd) says he owes no one explanation over his recent appointment as one of the non-career ambassadors.
Buratai spoke with journalists after a special gala night organised by members of the 29th Regular Course Association of the Nigerian Defense Academy in Abuja at the weekend.
Buratai and other Service Chiefs “voluntarily resigned” their positions on 26 January 2021 after months of calls for their sack following a spate of insecurity in different parts of the country, especially in the northeast and the seeming failure of the security agencies to contain it.
JUST IN: Ex-Service Chiefs Get Ambassadorial Positions
Buhari immediately appointed Major-General Leo Irabor Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff as replacements.
The PDP in a statement by its spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan described the appointment as a plot to shield the ex-service chiefs from investigation over the “killing of innocent Nigerians and crimes against humanity” under their watch.
However, speaking with journalists after a special gala night organised by members of the 29th regular course association of the Nigerian Defense Academy in Abuja over the weekend, Buratai said he would not respond to the PDP’s statement, insisting he was not a politician.
Nigerians Slams Buhari For Giving Ambassadorial Appointment To Ex-Service Chiefs
“It’s an honourable retirement and also an honourable appointment,” he said. “I’m not a politician, so I have no word for the opposition. I have done well.”
He added: “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 term of infrastructure? Is it in term of capacity building? Is it in terms of training?
“Since I was appointed, there was never a dull moment in terms of training.”
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