Buratai Distances Self from Viral Anti-Tinubu Report
By Jerry Adesewo
Former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has distanced himself from a viral report published by Phoenix Browser claiming that he commended an opposition coalition and declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had failed to meet expectations.
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The publication, which circulated widely on social media, alleged that Buratai endorsed opposition political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections while expressing disappointment in the Tinubu administration.
However, Buratai has publicly refuted the report, describing it as entirely false and misleading.
In a post shared on his verified social media platform, the retired military officer clearly labelled the publication as “FAKE NEWS,” dismissing the claims attributed to him and denying making any statement commending an opposition coalition or criticising the President in the manner reported.
The post directly referenced the Phoenix publication and carried visible inscriptions marked “FAKE” across the headline and story image, reinforcing his rejection of the report.
The rebuttal appears aimed at countering what observers describe as a growing trend of politically charged misinformation and fabricated endorsements involving high-profile national figures, especially as political activities gradually intensify ahead of future electoral contests.
Buratai, who has largely maintained a measured public posture since leaving office, has consistently avoided overt partisan commentary despite frequent speculation about his political alignment and influence within national security and political circles.
Analysts note that the circulation of such unverified reports reflects the increasingly volatile intersection between politics, social media amplification, and digital misinformation in Nigeria’s evolving media landscape.
The former army chief’s swift response also underscores the sensitivity surrounding public statements attributed to influential former military and political figures, particularly in an environment where endorsements and criticisms can quickly shape political narratives.
As of the time of filing this report, Phoenix Browser had not publicly responded to Buratai’s denial or clarified the source of the claims contained in the disputed publication.