Don’t Hide Tinubu’s Records From Nigerians

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has urged the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, FBI, to release records concerning President Bola Tinubu that can legally be made public.

Atiku made the call in a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, following the FBI’s request to submit confidential explanations for withholding some records linked to investigations involving Tinubu.

The FBI had approached a US District Court in the District of Columbia, seeking permission to present parts of its justification ex parte and in camera, meaning privately and directly to the judge.

In its August 20 application, the agency argued that publicly disclosing its full reasons for withholding some records could expose sensitive investigative information, reveal law-enforcement techniques and potentially put individuals at risk.

Atiku, however, said the FBI could protect legitimate sensitive information while releasing records that are legally available for public scrutiny.

He urged the agency to safeguard its investigators, confidential sources and investigative methods, while redacting information that must remain confidential under US law.

The former vice president, however, cautioned against using such protections to prevent legitimate public scrutiny of Tinubu.

“The FBI says disclosure could endanger lives, but Nigerians are already suffering and dying as a result of the hardship caused by the Tinubu administration’s economic policies,” Atiku said.

He linked the economic hardship to the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that the policy had contributed to increased transportation costs, food prices, production expenses and pressure on employment.

According to him, rising fuel costs have had wider consequences for Nigerian households and businesses.

“Fuel affects transportation. Transportation affects food prices. Energy affects production. Production affects jobs. All of them determine whether an ordinary Nigerian family can survive until the end of the month,” he said.

Atiku stressed that his demand was not for the FBI to expose undercover officers, confidential informants or sensitive investigative techniques.

Instead, he urged the agency to release information that American law permits to be disclosed while properly redacting protected material.

“This is not an attempt to interfere in Nigeria’s politics. It is a humanitarian and democratic appeal because Nigerians have the right to access information that can legitimately be made public about those who exercise enormous power over their lives,” he said.

Atiku maintained that Nigerians deserved access to relevant information concerning the background and character of their leaders, particularly individuals exercising significant political authority.

He therefore urged the FBI to clearly distinguish between information that genuinely requires protection and records that can be released without compromising legitimate investigations.