Why Tinubu’s FBI records saga has gone beyond 2027 politics – Reps Deputy Spokesperson

The Deputy Spokesperson of the 10th House of Representatives, Philip Agbese, has stated that opposition parties' campaign for the release of President Bola Tinubu's alleged FBI drug trafficking case records has transcended 2027 politics. Agbese, an opposition lawmaker from Benue State, emphasized that this controversy could impact Nigeria's international reputation.

He cautioned that political disputes leading up to the 2027 presidential election should not be pursued at the expense of Nigerians living, working, or doing business abroad. Agbese clarified that "this has gone beyond politics. When desperate politicians begin to export their political battles and package Nigeria as a country whose leadership is allegedly built around criminality, they are not hurting President Tinubu alone.

They are damaging the image of every Nigerian who travels, studies, works, does business or seeks opportunities abroad."

Former Vice President and ADC presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had hired Washington-based Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C. to pursue this matter. Karl Von Batten, the firm's managing partner, has been leading the campaign for Tinubu's FBI records release. Von Batten recently alleged that the Tinubu administration had offered a $3 million bribe to halt the probe. However, the Tinubu administration has refuted these claims.