The Human Right Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and the Association of African Writers Association of African Writers on Human Rights (AFRIRIGHTS) have thrown its weight behind the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, alleging that some faceless individuals under the aegis of concerned citizens tried to drag his name and reputation into the fray of the ignoble arms procurement deal.

According to the national Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, that effort fell flat on the face of the perpetrators, who he said were hell bent on destroying the General. “They came up with another condemnable smear campaign. They again embark on another round of smear campaign, alleging that he has investments outside the country.”

Onwubiko, who spoke at a joint briefing in Abuja on Sunday, said that, “Being concerned about the conduct of public officers and the need for propriety, our organization took it upon itself to investigate this allegation just like several others, and found out that they are untrue. For the avoidance of doubt the said investment was legitimately accumulated over long period of time and was declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau on his assumption of duty as Chief of Army Staff in July 2015.”

The groups declared that “General Buratai has nothing to hide and leads by personal example which he encourages his subordinates to emulate. He was the first military service chief to declare his assets and asked all officers to do so. This is unprecedented and has no doubt, given credence to the government’s anti-corruption crusade. Possibly, this and several other accomplishments are some of the reasons why these faceless detractors want to drag his name into the mud.

“Unknown to them, any campaign of calumny against this war hero especially in the battles against Boko Haram terrorists, is not just a personal attack on him as person, or the Nigerian Army, it is an insult and assault on our collective being as Nigerian people. This is because it is an attempt to distract him and the Army he leads from clearing the remnants of the Boko Haram terrorists and other good works of repositioning the Army to be truly the pride of the nation. The predators no doubt, were equally determined through this unpatriotic act to rubbish the government but they will not succeed as the truth will always vindicate him.

“Possibly they are doing all these out of ignorance as General Buratai has always remained steadfast and incorruptible. As a matter of fact, the Nigerian Army has for a long time never had a wonderful, visionary and exemplary leadership like what we are witnessing now. The welfare of troops has been enhanced. They now have uniforms and boots and other equipment, while training is being intensified. What is more appealing is the improved civil-military relations and respect for human rights.”

•Photo shows General Buratai.

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