APC Blasts Opposition Critics Ahead of May 2 FBI File Release on President Tinubu
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed mounting criticisms from opposition parties over the anticipated release of FBI and DEA files concerning President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing the critics as “clowns” suffering from “post-election trauma.”
This comes as a U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to release documents by May 2, 2025, linked to a decades-old drug trafficking case in Chicago allegedly involving Tinubu and others. Judge Beryl Howell mandated the release in response to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests filed by American legal researcher Aaron Greenspan.
According to court filings, the documents in question have been publicly available for more than 30 years.
Reacting, APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru reaffirmed that the Nigerian Constitution outlines clear criteria for presidential eligibility and warned critics to stop misleading the public. “The FBI is not part of Nigeria’s legal system. These opposition figures are simply clowns,” he said. “The law is clear—only a constitutional breach can remove a sitting president.”
The Presidency has echoed similar sentiments. President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the federal government’s legal team is reviewing the court’s decision but stressed that the documents are unlikely to reveal anything new or damaging.
Opposition leaders, however, remain vocal. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, stated that Nigerians have waited since 1999 for clarity on the issue and deserve full transparency.
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) urged a cautious approach. Its National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, said expectations may be unrealistic. “People might end up disappointed—it may not contain anything spectacular,” he added.
In contrast, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a more aggressive stance. Timothy Osadolor, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, questioned Tinubu’s motivations for seeking a second term if he has unresolved legal baggage. “Nigerians deserve to know whether the President has a clean or controversial past. This transparency will guide national discourse and future decisions,” he said.
Senator Basiru concluded by urging the opposition to move on and focus on the 2027 elections. “If they want power, let them prepare to meet us at the polls. For now, they’re just entertaining the public with political drama,” he said.
