Akinrinade at 87: He chose democracy over dictatorship - Tinubu

… Says ex-Army chief stood on right side of history during June 12 struggle … Hails civil war hero as towering statesman, principled patriot President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has paid tribute to former Chief of Army Staff, General Alani Ipoola Akinrinade (rtd), on his 87th birthday, saying the elder statesman stood on the right side of history by choosing democracy over dictatorship at a time when doing so was dangerous. Tinubu described Akinrinade, a prominent leader of the National Democratic Coalition, NADECO, during the struggle against military rule and for the restoration of the June 12 mandate, as one of the heroes whose sacrifices helped make Nigeria’s Fourth Republic possible. In a statement on Saturday, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga , congratulated the retired General on his birthday, describing him as a towering statesman, gallant soldier, and principled patriot who devoted his life to Nigeria.