Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has called on the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to disclose records related to President Bola Tinubu that can legally be made public. This request follows the FBI’s move to provide confidential reasons to a US District Court in Washington, D.C., for withholding certain records from public access due to potential security concerns.
Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, emphasized that while the FBI must protect sensitive information, it should also release documents eligible for public scrutiny. He stressed that safeguards should not prevent rightful public examination of President Tinubu’s activities.
He warned against using these protections to avoid legitimate public inquiry into Tinubu’s actions. Atiku highlighted the economic challenges Nigeria faces, attributing them to policies such as the removal of the fuel subsidy, which has led to higher costs in fuel, transportation, and food, affecting overall production and employment.
Atiku clarified that his request is not aimed at revealing FBI agents or investigative methods, but rather at disclosing information allowed by U.S. law, ensuring sensitive data remains protected. He stated that this request is a democratic appeal for transparency, allowing Nigerians access to information about influential leaders impacting their lives.
He urged the FBI to differentiate between data that needs security and what can be shared without jeopardizing investigations, ensuring Nigerians have insights into the backgrounds of their leaders.
