Peter Obi, former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s legal efforts to prevent the public release of records relating to his past in the United States.
Obi described the development as “profoundly embarrassing” for Nigeria, saying he was increasingly worried about the direction of the country.
In a statement issued on Monday, the former governor questioned why a sitting Nigerian president would seek to stop a foreign court from releasing records that he said were of legitimate public interest.
“It is profoundly embarrassing that we have reached a point where a sitting president (Mr Tinubu) is asking a foreign court to withhold records concerning his past, particularly records relating to matters of legitimate public interest,” Obi said.
He argued that public office holders should be prepared to face questions about their past rather than attempt to keep controversial issues away from public scrutiny.
According to him, leadership requires the willingness to admit mistakes, explain disputed issues honestly and apologise where necessary.
“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,” he said.
Obi maintained that accepting responsibility does not weaken a leader’s authority. Instead, he said, it can strengthen public confidence and demonstrate accountability.
He also raised questions about Tinubu’s educational history, particularly issues surrounding his primary and secondary education.
The NDC presidential candidate said Nigerians should receive straightforward and verifiable answers on such matters instead of seeing them become the subject of prolonged court battles.
“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,” Obi said.
He added that the issue goes beyond Tinubu himself because of the example being set for millions of Nigerians, especially young people.
“My deepest concern is the example this sets for more than 200 million Nigerians, particularly the over 30 million young people in schools,” he said.
Obi said the presidency should represent the highest standards of transparency, integrity, accountability and responsible leadership.
He further argued that having an imperfect past is part of being human, but public figures must be willing to acknowledge their mistakes and make amends where appropriate.
According to him, personal political ambitions should never take precedence over the interests of the country.
“When will our political class fully appreciate that individual ambitions are temporary, while the nation endures?” Obi asked.
He noted that while the presidency is occupied for only a limited period, the standards and values demonstrated by those who hold the office could shape the country for generations.
“Nigeria is greater than any one person, and the integrity of the Republic must always come before the interests of the individual,” he added.
Obi’s comments come amid renewed controversy over efforts to obtain records linked to Tinubu’s past in the United States.
Tinubu’s legal representatives have been challenging attempts to make the records public, as questions surrounding documents relating to a 1993 U.S. case continue to generate political debate in Nigeria.
The Peoples Gazette reported over the weekend that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) had delivered records connected to the case to Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia.
According to the report, the documents were submitted directly to the judge and marked for her review.
The FBI reportedly made the submission on Friday in compliance with an earlier court directive while excluding transparency campaigner Aaron Greenspan, who had sought access to Tinubu-related records through a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit.
Court filings reportedly stated that the records were submitted “under seal, ex parte, in camera” on August 28, 2026, in accordance with a court order issued on August 20.
The FBI has also argued that releasing certain records could expose its informants and agents to potential “violent retaliation.”
The agency reportedly raised security concerns over documents linked to allegations of drug trafficking, immigration issues and purported ties to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
