Nigerians Deserve To Know Tinubu’s Profile — Yoruba Union Condemns Non-Release Of President’s FBI, DEA Records
…The organisation said the President’s efforts to prevent the release of the records had raised questions about what he might be trying to hide from Nigerians
Yoruba Union, Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá, has challenged President Bola Tinubu to explain to Nigerians why he is allegedly desperate to prevent the release of records held by the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) relating to allegations of drug trafficking and investigations involving him.
The group said Tinubu should allow the FBI and DEA to release whatever records they hold concerning him, arguing that Nigerians have a right to know the background and records of anyone seeking to occupy the highest political office in the country.
In a statement issued on Saturday and signed by its Convener, Olusola Badero, and released through its Home Director, Princess Balogun, the Yoruba Union noted that Tinubu was afraid of his past and was using every available means to prevent the public from accessing records relating to his alleged case in the United States.
The organisation said the President’s efforts to prevent the release of the records had raised questions about what he might be trying to hide from Nigerians.
“If Tinubu doesn’t have anything hiding why would he block FBI and DEA not to release his file case which he was indicted for drug trafficking and how he fortified his properties,” the organisation said.
The Yoruba Union said Nigerians deserved to know the full profile and history of any individual seeking to govern the country, particularly when such a person was already occupying the presidency and was interested in seeking another term.
“Nigerians deserve to know the profile of the person that want to contest for the highest office in the country. If Tinubu is desperate and blocking all ways not to allow his record to be released then he doesn’t deserve to be a Nigeria president,” it said.
Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá also questioned the purpose of security screening and profiling of political candidates if members of the public could not have access to relevant information concerning their backgrounds.
“Why is the essence of profiling people who to contest for public office by security agencies if Tinubu doesn’t want himself to be screened by Nigerians,” the statement said.
The Yoruba Union stated that Nigeria was not Tinubu’s personal estate or palace where information about public officials could be hidden from citizens.
“Ìgbìnmó Májékóbájé Ilé-Yorùbá said Nigeria is not Tinubu estate or palace where he can hide things from people not to see. Nigerians need to know him before voting for him, and if he insists of blocking his record to the world he has no business to be or become a president,” Yoruba Union said.
The organisation accused Tinubu of setting a dangerous precedent for future generations by seeking to prevent the public from scrutinising his past.
It said history would ultimately judge the President over his handling of questions surrounding the alleged FBI and DEA records.
“Tinubu is laying a bad precedent for generations to come, and posterity will not be kind to him.”
The organisation also questioned why Tinubu, at his age and with his experience in Nigerian politics, would be afraid of information concerning his past being made public, particularly as Nigerians were already aware of his reported intention to seek another presidential term.
“What is Tinubu is afraid of at his age, while Nigerians knows that he’s desperate to recontest for president, why is he afraid of his past that he doesn’t want Nigerians to know about,” it asked.
The Yoruba Union further criticised the precedent created by allowing individuals with controversial backgrounds to aspire to the highest political offices in Nigeria.
According to the Yoruba Union, if the political system continues to permit people with unresolved allegations to seek the presidency without full public scrutiny, other controversial figures could eventually make similar political ambitions.
It cited individuals it described as Afolabi Michael, popularly known online as “KC Luxury,” whom it alleged was a drug lord, as well as Ramon Abbas, popularly known as Hushpuppi, in making its argument.
The group said, “People like Afolabi Michael, popularly known online as ‘KC Luxury,’ a drug lord, and Hushpuppi will one day declare to become a president since a precedent has been made.”
The Yoruba Union said people with criminal or questionable histories should not be allowed to use political power to shield information about themselves from the public.
It maintained that the presidency was a public trust and that anyone seeking to occupy it should be subjected to the highest level of scrutiny.
The organisation therefore called on Tinubu to stop any effort to prevent the release of records held by US law enforcement agencies and allow Nigerians to independently examine whatever information exists concerning the allegations.
They insisted that transparency was particularly important because Tinubu is not merely a private citizen but the sitting President of Nigeria and a politician who, according to the statement, is desperate to return to office.
The Yoruba Union said Nigerians should be allowed to make informed decisions about political candidates based on their records, rather than being denied access to information that could help them assess the character and history of those seeking their votes.
It also warned that attempts to suppress information about political leaders could further undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
The organisation maintained that Tinubu should have nothing to fear if the allegations against him were unfounded, arguing that the release of the records would provide an opportunity for the public to establish the facts.
It therefore challenged the President to allow the FBI and DEA records to become public and let Nigerians determine for themselves what they contain.
COURTESY: saharareporters.com
