‘He chose democracy over dictatorship’ — Tinubu hails Akinrinade at 87

By Johnbosco Agbakwuru
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated former Chief of Army Staff, General Alani Ipoola Akinrinade (retd), on his 87th birthday, describing him as a towering statesman, gallant soldier and principled patriot who devoted his life to Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Saturday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President said Akinrinade’s legacy remained “etched in gold” in Nigeria’s history, spanning his distinguished military career and his role in the pro-democracy struggle.
Akinrinade, a civil war veteran, served as Chief of Army Staff and later Chief of Defence Staff before retiring from the military.
He was also a leade...