RismadarVoice Reporters
August 22, 2026
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has urged the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation to release any legally disclosable records relating to President Bola Tinubu, arguing that concerns about protecting lives should not be used to conceal information from the public.
The demand followed an FBI application to a US federal court seeking permission to submit confidential ex parte, in-camera declarations explaining why certain investigative records concerning allegations of drug trafficking involving Tinubu had been withheld.
The FBI, in an application dated August 20, reportedly told the US District Court for the District of Columbia that it could not publicly disclose all the reasons for withholding some records.
Reacting through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku questioned the FBI’s argument that disclosure could endanger lives.
“The FBI says disclosure could endanger lives. Which lives? Nigerians are already dying.”
He linked what he described as widespread hardship to the removal of fuel subsidy, arguing that higher transportation and energy costs had contributed to increased food prices, production costs and unemployment.
Atiku reiterated his pledge to reverse the subsidy removal if elected, saying his proposed approach would be more accountable and protected against abuse.
Atiku said he was not demanding the disclosure of confidential sources, undercover agents or sensitive investigative methods.
He urged the FBI to redact any information that US law genuinely requires to remain confidential while releasing material that can legally be made public.
“Protect your agents. Protect your sources. Protect legitimate investigative methods. Redact whatever American law genuinely requires you to redact.”
He argued that such disclosure would not amount to interference in Nigeria’s domestic politics but would give Nigerians access to information that could legitimately be available about the person exercising presidential power.
Atiku maintained that Nigerians had a right to scrutinise the background and character of their leaders, particularly where the information sought was legally disclosable.
The development has also triggered a response from the Presidency, which cautioned Atiku and the Peoples Democratic Party against what it described as attempts to pressure or blackmail the judiciary.
The Presidency’s position is that the FBI’s court filings are subject to judicial processes in the United States and should not be politicised.
Atiku, however, maintained that his demand was centred on transparency and the public interest, insisting that confidential investigative material should remain protected but that information legally available for disclosure should not be withheld indefinitely.
