Former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), has reacted to the surfacing of a poster declaring him as seeking to stand for the 2023 presidential election.
The reaction of Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic was contained in a statement by retired Brigadier General Sani Usman.
In the statement on Sunday, Usman, who served as the spokesman of the Nigerian Army while Buratai held sway as the COAS, confirmed the existence of the posters and the call on Buratai to run.
He, however, said such calls and posters should be discountenanced as they did not emanate from him and that he is not interested in them.
He said: “The attention of His Excellency, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), Nigeria’s Ambassador to Republic of Benin and former Chief of Army Staff, has been drawn to calls and dissemination of campaign posters calling on him to join partisan politics and contest for Presidential candidature of one of the political parties by some persons.
“However, it is essential to state that the Ambassador has never indicated interest, discussed with, or directed anyone on such matters. Therefore, such calls and posters should be discountenance as they did not emanate from him, nor is he interested in them. It is entirely the handiwork of some people for reasons best known to them.
“His Excellency wishes to reiterate his contentment and commitment to national service in his present capacity as Nigeria’s Ambassador to the Benin Republic. He remains loyal and eternally grateful to President Muhammadu Buhari for the opportunity to serve. He, however, wishes to thank all well-meaning persons, friends and well-wishers who showed concern over this development.”
