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By Oscar Okhifo
The controversy surrounding allegations of drug dealings, proceeds, forfeiture and other related issues involving President Bola Tinubu has refused to go away, with the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) becoming the latest political platform to demand fresh disclosure of records held by the United States authorities.
The issue, which has resurfaced in the build-up to the 2027 presidential election, was recently brought back into the political spotlight by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who raised questions about Tinubu’s past and called for greater transparency over records relating to the allegations.
The APM, in a statement issued on Sunday by its National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar, urged the US authorities to release the findings of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) report concerning alleged drug-trafficking records linked to the President.
The party’s demand comes against the backdrop of the FBI’s longstanding position before a US court that releasing the records to the public could be dangerous, particularly where disclosure could compromise sensitive information connected with investigations.
APM, however, argued that portions of the records could still be released without compromising protected information, urging the US authorities to disclose whatever could safely be made public.
The party said information could be disclosed without “endangering lives, exposing witnesses, investigators or techniques used in the investigation.”
APM alleged that President Tinubu’s sustained efforts to prevent the release of the report had heightened suspicion and raised questions about an alleged attempt to cover up the information.
The party urged the US authorities to consider the implications of withholding the information, arguing that it could have consequences for Nigeria’s security, national integrity and democratic development.
“The United States being a leading democracy in the world should at all times be seen to always facilitate the consolidation of democracy and transparency in the international fight against drug trafficking and corruption.
The drug and other ancillary allegations against President Tinubu, who is a major contender in the 2027 Presidential election constitutes a global issue which continues to harm Nigeria’s reputation among the comity of nations.
“This is especially as the public is already aware of the 1993 $460,000 forfeiture judgement against accounts traced to President Tinubu by the US District Court for Northern District of Illinois following an investigation into drug-related transactions.”
The party further claimed that the forfeiture judgment had constitutional implications for Tinubu’s eligibility to contest elections in Nigeria.
“The effect of the $460,000 forfeiture judgement is that by virtue of section 137 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), President Tinubu remains ineligible for election in Nigeria.
“Moreover, Nigeria is signatory to international conventions on drugs and money laundering,” the statement read in part.
The APM said the matter had acquired fresh political significance because of the approaching 2027 presidential election and urged the US authorities to assist Nigerians in making an informed decision about the next presidential contest.
The party maintained that the controversy should not be allowed to disappear from public scrutiny simply because some of the records remain subject to restrictions on disclosure.
It urged the US authorities to release whatever aspects of the FBI records could be made public without compromising witnesses, investigators or sensitive investigative techniques.
“Against the backdrop of the coming Presidential election, APM urged the United States authorities to assist Nigerians in their decision to elect a leader not encumbered by allegation and corruption cases,” the party said.