Why I retired as Major-General — Buhari

Posted by admin Armed Forces, Latest Politics, Muhammadu Buhari (1983-85, 2015 - 2023), Presidency Saturday, July 6th, 2013

A former Head of State, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) on Friday said he decided to retire with his current rank in 1985, to defend and promote the integrity of the military, instead of promoting himself.

Buhari said this at a public presentation of two books: “Nigerian military in politics: 1966-2011 and Politics of transition to civil rule in Nigeria” in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the books were published by Head of Political Science Department, Federal College Education, Zaria, Nuhu Ramalan

“It was the conviction of our regime that, being the Head of State and Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, does not mean that you are the overall General.

“My ultimate goal as at then was to ensure integrity, justice, equity, accountability and transparency in the system. That was why I did away with unnecessarily promoting myself to General,” he said.

Speaking on the military in politics, Buhari, the presidential candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change in the 2011 general elections, identified some weaknesses of the past military regimes to include corruption and abuse of office.

On politics, he said the incessant military interventions were due to the failure of politicians to respect the rule of law, “characterised by massive corruption and lack of accountability.”

The Chairman of the occasion and former Secretary-General of the defunct Peoples Redemption Party, Aliyu Umar, said the books would be resource materials in the study of Nigerian politics.

“The two books are reflection of the present Nigerian political scenario,” he said.

In a related development, Buhari has attributed ineffective leadership in the country to the inability of government to provide effective education for Nigerians.

According to the NAN, Buhari said this in Zaria on Saturday at a conference with the theme “Uniting our People for Change” organised by a group, Movement for a Better Future.

“The biggest problem of this ineffective leadership in Nigeria is education. If you deny people effective education, you have finished them.

“Education is a vital tool for human existence and development. God has given Nigeria both material and human resources but we have not used them effectively.

“We have failed to organise ourselves to harness these resources. We have been talking about Sardaunana (Ahmadu Bello), (Obafemi) Awolowo, (Nnamdi) Azikwe and Tafawa Balewa as great leaders; why can’t we emulate them?” Buhari asked.

In his remark, Governor Ra’uf Aregbesola of Osun State appealed to Nigerians to elect credible candidates into various elective positions who would help to develop the country.

The governor, who was the special guest of honour at conference, stressed the need for Nigerians to work together to actualise national cohesion, a bright and progressive future.
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