The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has asked the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation to do both things at once — protect its people and release what the law allows.
He said the FBI can safeguard its investigators, sources and methods without hiding records about President Bola Tinubu that can legally be made public.
The reaction came in a statement on Saturday, August 22, 2026. The statement was signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
It was a direct response to the FBI’s latest move in the US court case over Tinubu-related files.
What the FBI asked the US court
On August 20, the FBI approached the US District Court for the District of Columbia.
The agency asked for permission to file its explanations privately. In legal terms, it wants to file ex parte and in camera.
That means the judge would see the reasons alone, without the public.
The FBI argued it cannot publicly explain all its reasons for withholding some records. Doing so, it said, could expose sensitive investigative techniques and potentially endanger lives.
Atiku’s response: use redactions, not blanket cover
Atiku rejected that argument.
He said the FBI has tools to protect sensitive details. It can redact names and methods and still release documents that American law permits.
He warned the agency not to use safety concerns to shield President Tinubu from lawful public scrutiny.
"The FBI says disclosure could endanger lives, but Nigerians are already suffering and dying as a result of the hardship caused by the Tinubu administration’s economic policies," Atiku said.
He then asked, "Which lives? Nigerians are already dying."
Link to fuel subsidy and cost of living
Atiku directly linked the hardship Nigerians face to the removal of fuel subsidy.
He explained how it spreads through the economy.
"Fuel affects transportation. Transportation affects food prices. Energy affects production. Production affects jobs. All of them determine whether an ordinary Nigerian family can survive until the end of the month," he added.
A humanitarian appeal, not politics
Atiku stressed that he is not asking the FBI to burn its own system.
He said he does not want the agency to compromise undercover officers, confidential informants or investigative techniques.
His demand, he said, is for the release of information that US law allows to be disclosed.
"This is not an attempt to interfere in Nigeria’s politics. It is a humanitarian and democratic appeal because Nigerians have the right to access information that can legitimately be made public about those who exercise enormous power over their lives," Atiku said.
He added that citizens deserve to know about the background and character of their leaders.
He urged the FBI to draw a clear line between what genuinely needs protection and what is a public record that can be released without harming any operation.
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