The Minister of Aviation under the Goodluck Jonathan administration, Femi Fani-Kayode, has noted that the only legacy the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, left behind is making himself a candidate to be prosecuted by the International Criminal Court, Hague in the Netherlands.
Fani-Kayode stated this during an interview with Reuben Abati while reacting to Buratai’s claim that he left a legacy behind in the office.
Buratai having been relieved from office by President Muhammadu Buhari recounted his achievements.
He said, “Today is a day of appreciation and not a stock-taking, but let me put on record that I left the Nigerian Army better than I met it.”
“The Nigerian Army under my leadership was able to achieve a great feat in the fight against insurgency in the country.”
“We have been experiencing pockets of threats here and there, but I can confidently say that no part of Nigeria is ceded to any terrorist group or criminals.”
“The counter-insurgency operation is warfare new to Nigerian Army but over time, we have continued to devise means of tackling the ever-evolving dynamic nature of the threats in the country.”
“The Nigerian Army has remained resolute in the discharge of its roles as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Fani-Kayode in his reaction noted that many innocent Nigerians were killed under his watch in the history of the country.
“Buratai had inflicted much damage than ever before over the last five years, and how could he give himself a hundred per cent?”
“I don’t know him, I don’t have anything against his personality and I haven’t met him before. But, I’ll say this against his performance while he was in office.”
“Posterity will be harsh to him. He said he left a legacy. What was the legacy? The only legacy he has made was making himself a candidate to be prosecuted at the International Criminal Court, in Hague.”
“Why do I say so? Under his watch, Shiite Muslims were killed. These were people’s children, people’s wives and husbands. They were killed on the streets of Kaduna.”
“Also, the Indigenous People of Biafra youths were slaughtered under his watch. He went to do Python Dance in the East, and many innocent youths were slaughtered. Just a few days ago in Orlu, Imo State, the same thing happened, where innocent people were butchered.”
“All over the country, the military was on a killing spree. I will never forget, and none of us will ever forget what happened in Lekki. Innocent civilians were killed by his troops. He was in command. Apart from Buhari, Buratai, who was the Chief of Army Staff when all these atrocities were committed, will answer for the flowing of innocent blood on our streets.”
He also condemned Buratai on his failure to address the nation’s prime headache of insecurity challenges.
“Apart from all that, look at his record of terrorism under his watch. The Fulani herdsmen had become the most deadly terrorist organisation. How about Boko Haram? Have they fought Boko Haram he refused to fight it in the North-East? He can’t arrest Fulani herdsmen in the South-West or in the South-East.”
“About 300 to 400 people are being slaughtered by these criminals every day. Fulani herdsmen became a powerful terror institution under his watch. Boko Haram has killed people more than ever before. Boko Haram now has encroached the territories of Abuja, Yobe, and Adamawa.”
“Buratai and the rest of them that have killed our people should go on their knees and beg God for forgiveness. He should be ashamed of his records and not boast of it.”
