Tinubu’s Bid To Withhold US Records ‘Profoundly Embarrassing’ — Peter Obi

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s reported request for a US court to restrict the release of records held by American law enforcement agencies in connection with historical investigations involving him and allegations of drug trafficking.

Obi described the development as embarrassing, arguing that a sitting president should be willing to confront questions surrounding his past, particularly matters he said are of legitimate public interest.

His reaction followed a 16-page court filing in which lawyers representing Tinubu reportedly asked a US court to block the release of records held by the US Department of Justice (DOJ), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

Tinubu’s lawyers argued in the filing that releasing the records could violate the President’s privacy rights.

Reacting to the development, Obi said leadership required the courage to address questions about one’s past rather than use legal proceedings to prevent scrutiny.

“It is profoundly embarrassing that we have reached a point where a sitting President is asking a foreign court to withhold records concerning his past, particularly records relating to matters of legitimate public interest.

“Leadership, in my humble view, demands the courage and humility to confront one’s history — to acknowledge mistakes, provide candid explanations where questions arise, and, where necessary, apologise and seek forgiveness. True authority is strengthened, not diminished, when a leader accepts responsibility rather than seeks to shield uncomfortable aspects of the past from legitimate scrutiny.

“This becomes particularly important when questions concern educational credentials. Issues surrounding foundational schooling — primary and secondary — should not remain unresolved or be addressed primarily through legal proceedings. Nigerians deserve clear, credible, and verifiable explanations, especially when such had been submitted in the past.”

The former Anambra State governor’s comments come amid renewed public interest in records relating to Tinubu following legal proceedings in the United States.