Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has challenged the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over its decision to withhold certain investigative records relating to President Bola Tinubu, arguing that concerns about danger to lives should not be used to shield information that can lawfully be disclosed.
The FBI had filed a motion before the US District Court for the District of Columbia seeking permission to submit, ex parte and in camera, declarations explaining why some records connected to its investigations into allegations of drug trafficking involving Tinubu should remain undisclosed.
In an application dated August 20, the agency argued that it could not publicly disclose all the reasons for withholding the records, prompting its request to present additional explanations privately to the court.
Reacting in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku questioned the FBI’s reference to potential threats to lives, arguing that Nigerians were already suffering severe consequences from the Federal Government’s economic policies.
“The FBI says disclosure could endanger lives. Which lives? Nigerians are already dying,” the statement read.
Atiku linked the hardship to the removal of fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy had triggered increases in transportation costs, food prices and production expenses while putting jobs and household incomes under pressure.
“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.
The former vice president reiterated his pledge to reverse the fuel subsidy removal if elected, saying his proposed alternative would be more accountable and protected against abuse.
Addressing the FBI’s concerns over the release of investigative records, Atiku said he was not demanding the disclosure of sensitive operational information, confidential sources or investigative methods.
“Protect your agents. Protect your sources. Protect legitimate investigative methods. Redact whatever American law genuinely requires you to redact. But do not stretch those protections until they become a bulletproof vest for Tinubu,” he said.
He maintained that the request for the release of the records was not an attempt to interfere in Nigeria’s affairs, but a democratic appeal for access to information that could legitimately be made public about a person wielding significant political power.
“Our demand of American law enforcement is not a call to interfere in Nigeria’s politics. It is a humanitarian and democratic appeal rooted in the principle that people have a right to information legitimately available about those who exercise enormous power over their lives.
“Protect your investigators. Protect your sources. Protect your methods. But do not protect the truth from Nigerians. Our people are already paying for bad governance with their lives,” he said.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
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