Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), has dismissed as false and malicious a viral publication alleging that he commended an opposition coalition and criticized the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The report, which circulated on social media and was attributed to an online platform identified as “Phoenix,” claimed that Buratai said the President had failed to meet expectations.
But in a strongly worded disclaimer issued on Wednesday, the retired general described the report as “completely fabricated” and challenged the publishers to provide evidence of where and when he allegedly made the statement.
“At no time did I make such comments. The publication is false, baseless, and a deliberate attempt to mislead the public,” Buratai said.
He noted that the report failed to indicate any verifiable source, venue, or timeline for the purported remarks, insisting that no such comments were ever made.
Reaffirming his political stance, Buratai said he remained a loyal and card-carrying member of the All Progressives Congress, pledging continued support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
The former army chief also stressed that his loyalty to constituted authority, which he said defined his over 40 years of military service, remained intact even in retirement.
“I will continue to support constituted authority under President Tinubu, especially as the military intensifies efforts to address security challenges across the country,” he stated.
Buratai further accused the publishers of being “serial peddlers of falsehood,” alleging that similar attempts had been made in the past to tarnish his image.
He urged Nigerians to disregard the report, describing it as a product of misinformation and ill intent.
The controversial publication has since sparked reactions online, with many calling for stricter measures against the spread of fake news.
