Atiku Faults FBI Secrecy Over Tinubu Records, Demands Public Transparency

Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) over its decision to withhold some records relating to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, arguing that concerns about potential threats to lives should not be used to shield information that could legitimately be made public.

The FBI recently asked the US District Court for the District of Columbia for permission to submit, privately and outside public view, declarations explaining its decision to withhold portions of investigative records connected to allegations of drug trafficking involving Tinubu.

In an application dated August 20, 2026, the agency argued that it could not publicly disclose all the reasons for withholding certain records and therefore sought to present the relevant explanations to the court ex parte and in camera.

Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku questioned the basis for the FBI’s justification, particularly its reference to the possible danger to lives.

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

The former Vice President linked the current economic hardship in Nigeria to the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that the policy had contributed to rising transportation costs, food prices and production expenses, while putting additional pressure on employment and household incomes.

According to him, the rising cost of fuel has broader consequences for the economy and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

“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 also reiterated his pledge to reverse the petrol subsidy removal if elected president, promising what he described as a more accountable approach designed to minimise opportunities for abuse.

On the disputed FBI records, Atiku clarified that his demand for transparency did not extend to information whose disclosure could compromise legitimate investigations or endanger individuals.

“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 his position was rooted in democratic accountability and the public interest rather than an attempt to interfere in the domestic affairs of the United States.

Atiku argued that Nigerians had a legitimate interest in understanding the background and character of the person occupying the country’s highest political office, particularly where records held by a foreign law enforcement agency are the subject of judicial proceedings.

The controversy comes amid ongoing legal proceedings in the United States over access to FBI records concerning Tinubu, with the agency seeking to justify privately why portions of the records should remain undisclosed.