Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, has called on President Bola Tinubu to address questions relating to his past openly rather than relying on legal proceedings in a foreign court.
Obi made the call in a statement titled "A President and the Endless Question of His Past," issued on Sunday, August 31, 2026.
DailyVista247 learnt that the statement followed reports that President Tinubu asked a United States District Court for the District of Columbia to reject a motion seeking the release of records relating to past investigations.
According to reports, the President, who joined the case as an intervenor, urged the court to allow the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration to maintain redactions and withholdings in records already released.
His legal representatives argued that privacy provisions under United States law protect the records and that the Freedom of Information Act does not provide a basis for obtaining information about private individuals.
The legal matter stems from requests filed by Aaron Greenspan, founder of PlainSite, seeking records concerning Tinubu, including interview records from 1992 to 1993 linked to investigations in the early 1990s.
In April 2025, US District Judge Beryl Howell ruled that the earlier refusal to confirm or deny whether records existed was improper and ordered the agencies to search for and process non-exempt records.
Thousands of documents were subsequently released, some with redactions, which led to further requests for disclosure.
Reacting to the development, Obi said leadership requires courage and openness in addressing matters of public interest.
He stated that it was concerning that a sitting President would ask a foreign court to withhold records relating to his past, particularly records relating to matters of legitimate public interest.
The former Anambra State governor argued that true leadership is strengthened when a leader accepts responsibility rather than shielding aspects of the past from scrutiny.
He noted that issues surrounding educational background should be addressed with clear and verifiable explanations rather than being left to prolonged legal proceedings.
Obi, who began his statement by reaffirming his commitment to Nigeria, said his concern was about the example being set for citizens, particularly young people in schools.
According to him, the nation's highest office should exemplify integrity, accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership.
He added that the Presidency is an office held for a season, while the moral standards established by those who occupy it can influence generations.
Obi concluded by stating that Nigeria is greater than any individual and that the integrity of the nation must always come before personal interest.
