Don’t use ‘danger to lives’ to shield Tinubu records – Atiku tells FBI to release Tinubu alleged drug trafficking records

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 some records relating to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Atiku argued that citing potential danger to lives as a reason for withholding the records could not justify keeping information that may lawfully be disclosed away from public scrutiny.

The former vice president spoke in response to a recent motion filed by the FBI seeking permission to submit an ex parte, in-camera declaration to a US court explaining why some of the records were withheld.

In its application dated August 20, the FBI told the US District Court for the District of Columbia that it could not publicly disclose all the reasons for withholding certain records because doing so could reveal sensitive law-enforcement information.

The bureau said some of the material could expose investigative techniques and potentially endanger the life or physical safety of individuals.

Reacting in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the FBI’s position as ironic, arguing that Nigerians were already facing severe hardship under Tinubu’s administration.

“The FBI says disclosure could endanger lives. Which lives? Nigerians are already dying,” Atiku said.

He linked the hardship to the removal of fuel subsidy, arguing that the policy had increased pressure on transportation, food prices, businesses and household incomes.

“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 reiterated his pledge to reverse the removal of fuel subsidy if elected president, saying his proposed approach would be based on accountability and safeguards against abuse.

‘Protect agents, sources and methods’

The ADC candidate said he was not demanding the disclosure of sensitive operational information belonging to the FBI.

According to him, confidential sources, undercover agents and legitimate investigative techniques should remain protected where required by law.

“Protect your agents. Protect your sources. Protect legitimate investigative methods. Redact whatever American law genuinely requires you to redact,” he said.

However, Atiku urged the FBI not to extend those protections to information that could legitimately be made public.

“But do not stretch those protections until they become a bulletproof vest for Tinubu,” he added.

He argued that the request for disclosure should not be interpreted as an attempt to interfere in Nigeria’s domestic affairs.

Atiku said Nigerians had a legitimate democratic interest in understanding the background and character of a president exercising significant power over the country.

“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,” he said.

He further called on the FBI to protect sensitive investigative material while releasing information that is legally subject to disclosure.

“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,” Atiku said.

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