Don’t hide Tinubu’s records from Nigerians – Atiku tells FBI

Don’t hide Tinubu’s records from Nigerians – Atiku tells FBI

The presidential hopeful representing the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States to ensure the safety of its investigators, sources, and confidential methods while still providing records concerning President Bola Tinubu that are legally permissible to be disclosed.

Atiku made this appeal in a statement released on Saturday, August 22, 2026, by his Senior Special Assistant for Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, in response to the FBI’s request to offer classified justifications for its choice to withhold specific records relating to investigations associated with Tinubu.

The FBI had approached a court in the District of Columbia to seek approval for submitting declarations privately and confidentially, meaning those justifications would be presented without public access. In their application submitted on August 20, the agency contended that revealing all the reasons for withholding certain documents could unveil sensitiv investigative methods and risk endangering lives.

Nonetheless, Atiku dismissed this reasoning, asserting that the FBI could maintain the confidentiality of sensitive details through suitable redactions while still releasing documents that are available for public examination under the law. He warned the agency against utilizing these protections to prevent necessary public examination of President Tinubu.

“The FBI claims disclosure might threaten lives, but Nigerians are already enduring suffering and fatalities due to the difficulties stemming from the Tinubu government’s economic strategies,” Atiku stated.

“What lives? Nigerians are already perishing. ” Atiku directly connected the widespread suffering to the elimination of the fuel subsidy, stating that this policy has drastically impacted transportation costs, food prices, production, and employment throughout the nation.

“Fuel has an impact on transportation. Transportation influences food costs. Energy impacts production. Production affects job availability. All of these factors decide if an average Nigerian family can make it until month-end,” Atiku elaborated.

Regarding the requested records from the FBI, Atiku emphasized that his plea was not intended to endanger undercover personnel, confidential informants, or investigative methods but rather to disclose information that is permitted under American law.

“This is not a move to meddle in Nigeria’s politics. It is a humanitarian and democratic request, as Nigerians have the right to access information that can and should be made available about those who wield significant influence over their lives,” Atiku expressed.

He asserted that the populace deserves to be informed about the backgrounds and characters of their leaders, urging the FBI to differentiate between aspects that truly need protection and public records that can be shared without jeopardizing ongoing inquiries.