Defending Service: Why the Attacks on Buratai Are Unfair and Unfounded

By Nazir Ribadu

Sometimes, watching public figures get dragged through the mud tells you less about them and more about the state of our public discourse.

As someone who studies Nigeria’s security landscape, not from a news desk but through the dry, factual lens of academic and operational history, the recent allegations against former Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. T.Y. Buratai (rtd.) hit a particular nerve. They don’t just seem wrong, they feel like a profound injustice against a man who gave decades of his life to this country.

Let’s be clear: I’ve never met General Buratai. I have no personal connection to him. My “relationship” with his career is through after-action reports, strategy papers, and the timelines of battles fought in our Northeast. And from that vantage point, the idea that he was somehow in cahoots with the very terrorists he was tasked with destroying isn’t just illogical; it’s an insult to the painful, gritty reality of that war.

Think about the sheer human contradiction of that claim. This is the officer who, for years, bore the immense weight of command during one of our nation’s most brutal conflicts. His days and nights were consumed by the fight against Boko Haram and ISWAP.

As a Security and Intelligence Analyst, we studied the tactical shifts under his command, the difficult pivot to the “Super Camp” strategy, the push to retake and hold territory. These weren’t abstract concepts; they were decisions that affected the lives of thousands of soldiers and civilians.

To suggest that the man at the helm of that struggle was secretly funding the enemy doesn’t add up. It collapses under the weight of its own absurdity.

Where is the proof?

In our world, serious allegations are backed by evidence, arrests, indictments, formal investigations. But here, there’s only silence from every official quarter: the EFCC, the DSS, our financial intelligence units. Nothing!!

Instead, the entire case seems to be built on whispers and “anonymous sources” funneled through an outlet, Sahara Reporters, with a troubling track record.

And this is where it becomes personal. We’ve seen this pattern before. Just recently, the Plateau State government had to publicly condemn a false report about a bomb blast in Jos. A story that caused real panic.

Also, Ekiti State officials have detailed how their financial data was misrepresented to create a false narrative. They had to condemn the report made by Sahara Reporters.

When an outlet repeatedly gets things so wrong, often with consequences that hurt communities and reputations, it loses the benefit of the doubt. It starts to look less like journalism and more like a weapon.

Is it so hard to believe that a man who held one of the toughest jobs in Nigeria, who inevitably had to make decisions that upset powerful people, is now a target for those seeking “a pound of flesh”?

What gets lost in this noise is the human story of service. This was a 40-year career that culminated in the hottest of seats.

Whatever your political views, the man served. He faced a monstrous enemy and, according to the military’s own records, achieved hard-fought gains: territories were reclaimed, key terrorist commanders were neutralized.

In a sane society, we would at least be able to separate honest critique of strategy from vile character assassination. We should be debating his legacy, not defending his basic loyalty.

That’s what saddens me the most. We have a habit of tearing down our own, especially once they leave the stage.

Instead of a nuanced conversation about security policy, we get baseless scandals. General Buratai is a case study, literally, I use his tenure in some of my classes, in military leadership under extreme pressure. He deserves to have that record discussed based on facts, not vapor.

So, from one citizen to another, I find this whole episode tragic. If we disagree with a leader’s methods, let’s argue about that. But to spray poison on a man’s entire life’s work with no evidence? That doesn’t make us clever investigators. It makes us ingrate.

General Buratai has every right to demand a retraction, not just for his own name, but to push back against a culture of lies that cheapens the very concept of sacrifice for this nation.

Somewhere underneath the general’s uniform and the headlines is a human being who served Nigeria. That, at the very least, deserves our basic fairness.

Nazir Ribadu

PhD Security Studies and International Relations.

Security and Intelligence Analyst.

*Opinion: Dear General Elijah Ayodele, Where Is the Next Coup Taking Place?*

By Sammy Godson

Seeing the title General attached to Elijah Ayodele may surprise many because everyone knows he is not a member of the army, nor has he ever been publicly addressed as such. But permit me to rechristen him, because at this point, his revelations on security matters go far beyond what an army general’s intelligence can cover.

General Elijah Ayodele is a prophet and the leader of the INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church in Lagos, yet one wonders how he has accurately foretold coup-related events across Africa—events that have been happening exactly as he mentioned.

There is a huge difference between vaguely predicting that coups will occur in a continent and specifically naming the exact countries where they will take place—and seeing them happen precisely that way. Even the world’s most powerful army general cannot achieve such accuracy, no matter the intelligence available. It is absolutely impossible.

An army general is limited to the affairs of his own country. A Nigerian general cannot know of a coup being planned in Benin Republic, and vice versa. Yet General Elijah Ayodele will sit in Lagos and speak of dangerous events such as military coups in distant countries, and they happen exactly as though he wrote the script.

This simply shows that General Elijah Ayodele is firmly connected to the throne of heaven, from where all things are revealed. As the Bible says, God does nothing without revealing it to His prophets. His prophets are His generals, and in Nigeria, we can boldly say that General Elijah Ayodele is not just a member of God’s troops but a commander—no one else comes close.

Starting with the latest coup attempt in Africa, which occurred in Benin Republic: on Sunday morning, a group of soldiers seized the national television station to announce that they had taken over the country and removed President Talon from power. They declared the suspension of all political activities and the constitution. It was a tense situation before the soldiers were repelled, resulting in the ultimate failure of the coup.

This did not happen without General Elijah Ayodele mentioning it days earlier. He had spoken about it at least three times, with the last warning given on Friday—just two days before the incident. He said some countries would experience revolutions through coups or elections, and Benin Republic was among them. He warned these nations to prepare, and within two days, it happened.

His exact words were:

“The following nations will face revolution in the coming year, either by coup or any other way. There will be disorderliness in the following countries: Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Mali, Tanzania, Benin Republic, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda. Let them prepare for the challenges ahead.”

Recently, a coup also occurred in Guinea-Bissau after the presidential election. The army announced that they had taken over the country, suspended all electoral activities, and removed the president from power.

This, too, did not occur without General Elijah Ayodele’s warning earlier in November. He called on the president to be careful during the election and not tamper with the process, warning that a coup could occur if he attempted it. In videos and news publications, he advised the president to step down if he lost, so as not to be removed unconstitutionally.

He said:

“In Guinea-Bissau, there is going to be an election, but if there is a coalition and the president tries to rig the election, the country will turn to fire. There will be anarchy, and the impossible coup can be possible. To the president: if you lose this election, just leave. Don’t force yourself because you will fail.”

Additionally, during a live service on November 11, General Ayodele said that Guinea-Bissau would experience military action. He specifically warned that the president would lose relevance and would need to take urgent steps to stabilize the country.

His words were:

“Guinea-Bissau: The country isn’t yet settled; there is still a crisis. They will be fighting seriously. The president will not be reckoned with, and the military will carry out another action. The president must be ready to do anything to stabilize the country because I see a crisis in Guinea.”

Let us also not forget the reported attempt to unseat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu months ago, which allegedly led to the removal of some service chiefs. Weeks before the incident, General Ayodele specifically mentioned that soldiers were angry with the president and that powerful Nigerians were planning to use the military against him.

He warned:

“There will be an attempt to unseat Tinubu unconstitutionally; the NSA, DSS, and Chief of Army Staff must be careful. There are gangs planning between November and January to unseat him.”

“Even the Navy and Air Force will be part of it, including the Nigerian Army. President Tinubu must be ready for anything and fortify himself. He needs to change his security strategy because these personalities will be unbelievable names.”

In July 2025, he had also said that Tinubu must strengthen his security system because he foresaw an attempt to carry out a coup against his government.

“I see an attempt to take power from him (Tinubu) in an unconstitutional manner. God warns him to take his personal safety seriously. What I saw was coup-like, with tension everywhere.”

Going back further, in 2019—before the 2020 coup in Mali—General Ayodele warned in his prophecy for 2020 (released in December 2019) that there would be a gang-up against the president. Just months into the new year, it came to pass.

He had said:

“There will be a gang-up against the Malian president. The country should pray against protests and disorderliness.”

In Gabon, before Ali Bongo was ousted, General Ayodele stood in his church on October 7, 2022, during a live service and advised Bongo to resign because the military would remove him. This was long before the election that ultimately ended in a coup.

He told Bongo:

“Gabonese president, your time is up. I am seeing a crisis, if not a coup d’état. Because of your health, why not resign? Why do you want to die on this seat? I am telling you what the Lord has said. Your staying on the throne is killing you. You are incapacitated, but no one is telling you the truth. I am advising you to humble yourself, resign, and hand over to someone who can do better so you won’t cause a crisis in your country.”

Other coups—including those in Niger and Burkina Faso—were also foretold by General Ayodele. Even though some governments did nothing until events swept them away, one thing is certain: none of them can ever say the prophet did not warn them.

However, for the sake of the good citizens of the nations concerned, I would like to ask the General:
Where is the next coup taking place?

Thank you.

Ajadi Seeks Soun of Ogbomosho’s Blessings Ahead of 2027 Oyo Guber Race

Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, a leading governorship aspirant in Oyo State, on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Oladunni Olaoye Orumogege III, to seek the monarch’s blessings ahead of the 2027 gubernatorial election.

Ajadi, who was accompanied by political associates and members of his entourage, arrived early at the palace, where he was warmly received by the monarch and traditional chiefs in a brief but symbolic ceremony in line with Ogbomosho’s long-standing tradition of political and cultural consultation.

Speaking during the visit, Ajadi said his decision to seek royal blessings was informed by deep respect for traditional institutions and the belief that major political aspirations should begin with the counsel and prayers of revered leaders.

“This visit is first to pay homage to the throne and seek your royal blessings and guidance,” Ajadi said. “It is also to formally extend my goodwill wishes to Kabiyesi as we celebrate the Christmas and New Year festivities.”

He said Oyo State, under the current administration, had made notable progress and required continuity that aligns with the leadership philosophy of Governor Seyi Makinde.
Oyo State needs continuity of good governance through a young, vibrant and progressive leadership that shares the same vision and mindset as our leader, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde,” Ajadi stated.
“I have come to seek your leadership, mentorship and fatherly guidance towards my ambition to continue the mandate of good governance in the state.”

Ajadi, an entrepreneur, philanthropist and political figure, reminded the monarch of his political journey, noting that he was once a presidential aspirant on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) before emerging as the party’s governorship candidate in Ogun State during the 2023 elections.

“I have always stood for good governance and humanitarian service,” he said. “Through the Ajadi Movement, we have supported youths, the elderly and the less privileged across the country.”

He also traced his roots in Oyo State, describing himself as a son of the soil.

“Kabiyesi, sir, I am from Ward 8, Osengere, Egbeda Local Government in Ibadan. My father was a prominent musician popularly known as Sola West in Ibadan, and he was a younger brother of Chief Bode Amao, who remains the eldest personality in my family to date. Chief Bode Amao is a well-known figure in Oyo State and Nigeria at large,” Ajadi said.

I am offering myself for service and humbly request your prayers, wisdom and blessings as I continue consultations ahead of the 2027 general elections.”

Responding to a question by the monarch on the internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ajadi described the situation as an internal matter that would be resolved.

“The crisis is internal, and it will be resolved soon,” he said. “Unfortunately, some individuals engaging in anti-party activities have created concern for Nigerians. These are politicians who have benefited from the PDP structure but are now undermining it.”

He added that such practices had contributed to instability within the party, stressing the need for internal discipline and unity.

In his response, the Soun of Ogbomosho commended Ajadi for his humility and adherence to traditional consultation.

“You have wished yourself well with all the good things you have spoken today,” Oba Ghandi Afolabi Oladunni Olaoye Orumogege III said.
“I wish you all the best in your endeavours. Congratulations in advance.”
Background

Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo is a business executive, philanthropist and political actor known for youth empowerment initiatives and humanitarian outreach across several states. His interest in the Oyo governorship race comes at a time when Governor Seyi Makinde, a two-term PDP governor, is nearing the end of his constitutionally allowed tenure in 2027.

Governor Makinde’s administration has been widely credited with reforms in infrastructure, education and civil service administration in Oyo State, making succession politics a key subject within the ruling party.

The Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Oladunni Olaoye Orumogege III, ascended the throne in 2023 and has since been noted for encouraging peace, consultation and development-oriented leadership within and beyond Ogbomosho land.