The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly rejected concerns from opposition figures regarding the upcoming release of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) files on President Bola Tinubu, calling critics “clowns” and suggesting they are suffering from “post-election trauma.”
A U.S. court has ordered the FBI and DEA to release documents by May 2 related to a drug trafficking investigation from the early 1990s in Chicago that allegedly involved Tinubu and three others. The court noted these records have been publicly available for over 30 years.
“The FBI is not part of Nigeria’s governmental structure. Many of those in the opposition are clowns,” said APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru. “Nigerian law is clear on presidential qualifications. No one can be removed from office unless it’s in accordance with the Constitution.”
The Presidency has maintained that the files will contain no surprises. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, confirmed government lawyers are reviewing the court order but emphasised the documents are unlikely to provide new information.
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The release follows a ruling by Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., who directed the agencies to search for and process non-exempt documents requested by American legal researcher Aaron Greenspan through Freedom of Information Act requests.
Opposition reactions have varied. For instance, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s media aide, Paul Ibe, noted that “Nigerians have been anxious ever since the issue was first raised in 1999” and want to see the full report.
Meanwhile, the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) urged caution, with National Publicity Secretary Ladipo Johnson suggesting that “many people may end up disappointed—it may not contain anything spectacular.”
However, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) took a stronger position, with Deputy National Youth Leader Timothy Osadolor questioning why someone allegedly concealing past investigations would seek re-election in 2027.
“Nigerians deserve to know if the President has a clean, dark, or complicated past. That knowledge will shape national perception and determine what actions should follow,” Osadolor stated.
Senator Basiru concluded by advising opposition parties to focus on the future: “If they want the presidency, they should prepare for 2027 and meet us at the polls. For now, they’re just a bunch of comedians.”
