Tukur Buratai, a former Chief of Army Staff, has lashed out at President Bola Tinubu’s government for “radically and massively” pauperising Nigerians with its policies.

The former army chief, at the birthday lecture of former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi on Saturday, said although past leaders pauperised the masses gradually, the Tinubu-led government took a more radical approach to make Nigerians poorer.

“During the time of IBB, the Structural Adjustment Programme and the belt-tightening policies, the foreign exchange and deregulation started fully during IBB’s period. It went on to fuel deregulation.

“Under the Shagari era, Obasanjo’s presidency, Jonathan’s presidency and of course Buhari’s presidency, we saw gradual pauperisation of Nigerians. The poverty level continuously increased gradually,” Mr Buratai said.

He maintained that Mr Tinubu’s government increased poverty massively through a radical approach to its policies.

The former army chief stated, “The only difference with this Tinubu-led administration is that it came more radical. It is massive and sudden. It – poverty – was not gradual like the previous administrations.

“It has its own advantages. It shows a change from what we have been doing. We have been suffering gradually and smiling. But this time around, it came fully to show that we must get it right.”

Mr Buratai further berated the current administration for its insensitivity to the sufferings of the Nigerian masses due to its policies.

“The main challenge is the seeming insensitivity to the massive impact of government policies – poverty insecurity are real. We all know. We believe probably the second half of this administration will make a difference. Otherwise, I can see the coalition working hard,” Mr Buratai said.

Mr Buratai was the army chief under Mr Buhari’s government. He was in charge of the Nigerian Army when soldiers opened live rounds on protesters in 2020 during #EndSARS, a historic protest against police brutality. 

Similarly, Mr Buratai championed the massacre of Shiite members who blocked his way as he journeyed through Kaduna State in 2015.

While he was in service, Peoples Gazette reported how ICPC operatives conducted an operation that led to the recovery of over N1 billion from Mr Buratai. In another report in 2021, The Gazette exposed how Mr Buratai cornered NDDC contracts as Nigerian Army general

The former National Security Adviser, Babagana Munguno, also said Mr Buratai could not account for the money approved to purchase weapons during their tenure.