Atiku Breaks Silence, Demands Release of Tinubu’s FBI Records

Atiku questioned the FBI’s justification for withholding the documents, arguing that citing potential “danger to lives” should not be enough to prevent information that could otherwise be disclosed from being subjected to public scrutiny.

The development followed a motion filed by the FBI seeking permission to submit ex parte and in camera declarations explaining the reasons for withholding some investigative records linked to allegations of drug trafficking involving Tinubu.

The former Vice President maintained that matters of significant public interest should be handled with transparency, particularly where the records concern allegations involving a sitting Nigerian president.

In an application dated August 20, the agency told the US District Court for the District of Columbia that it could not publicly disclose all the reasons for withholding certain records, hence its request to make the declarations privately before the court.

On Saturday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku questioned the FBI’s justification for secrecy, arguing that Nigerians were already bearing the consequences of the government’s economic policies.

The FBI says disclosure could endanger lives. Which lives? Nigerians are already dying, 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 pressure on jobs 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.

The former Vice President also reiterated his pledge to reverse the fuel subsidy removal if elected, describing his proposed approach as one that would be accountable and protected against abuse.

On the FBI records, Atiku said he was not demanding the release of sensitive information that could compromise investigations, including the identities of undercover agents, confidential sources or investigative techniques.

“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.

Atiku described his position as a democratic appeal rather than an attempt to interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs, insisting that Nigerians had a right to know the background and character of the person leading the country. (Saturday Tribune)