TheCable

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has hailed Theophilus Danjuma, former minister of defence, on his 86th birthday anniversary.

In a statement on Sunday signed by Garba Shehu, his spokesperson, Buhari made a phone call to Danjuma on Saturday to specially thank him “for his great service to the nation”.

“T.Y as Chief of Army Staff built an army that was ready to execute combat operations day and night, at home and abroad, and at all times displayed the soldierly spirit of valour and indomitable courage. He served the army with pride,” Buhari was quoted as saying.

Shehu said the former president wished Danjuma many more years of service to humanity as “he builds on his legacy of contribution to public causes and the welfare of the underprivileged”.

In 2020, the duo met for the first time since they criticised each other in the buildup to the 2019 election.

Danjuma had fired the first shot, asking Nigerians to rise up and defend themselves “because the government could no longer protect them”.

The former chief of army staff also said Nigerians had lost confidence in the military.

After the elections, Danjuma said the country is in a big hole and that if he disclosed what was happening, people would no longer sleep.

But Buhari replied, saying Danjuma’s opinion was not as important as that of millions of Nigerians who reelected him.