Tinubu’s Attempt To Block Drug Trafficking Report Embarrassing – Obi

The presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over what he described as an attempt to withhold records relating to the President’s past from public scrutiny.

Obi said it was embarrassing that a sitting Nigerian president would approach a foreign court seeking to prevent the release of records concerning him, particularly documents he said were matters of legitimate public interest.

The former Anambra State governor made the remarks in a statement on Monday reflecting on the state of the country and the responsibilities of political leadership.

Obi said his loyalty to Nigeria remained unwavering, noting that he had never sought citizenship of another country despite the opportunity to do so.

“As a citizen of no other country, who has never sought foreign citizenship even when doing so became fashionable, my loyalty to Nigeria and my faith in her destiny remain unshaken,” he said.

He said he had prayed for Nigeria and its leaders on Sunday, August 30, but was saddened by what he described as the direction the country was taking.

According to Obi, leadership requires the courage to confront one’s past rather than use legal processes to shield matters that legitimately concern the public.

“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,” he said.

Obi argued that leaders should be willing to acknowledge mistakes, explain circumstances surrounding controversial issues 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 stated.

He said accepting responsibility would not necessarily weaken a leader’s authority, arguing that transparency could instead strengthen public confidence in leadership.

“True authority is strengthened, not diminished, when a leader accepts responsibility rather than seeks to shield uncomfortable aspects of the past from legitimate scrutiny,” Obi added.

The former presidential candidate also raised concerns about questions surrounding educational credentials, particularly records relating to primary and secondary education.

He maintained that such issues should be resolved through clear explanations and verifiable documentation rather than primarily through legal proceedings.

“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.

“Nigerians deserve clear, credible, and verifiable explanations, especially when such had been submitted in the past.”

Obi said his concern extended beyond the President and the immediate controversy, stressing that the conduct of political leaders could shape the values of millions of Nigerians.

He said the Presidency should demonstrate integrity, accountability, transparency and ethical leadership, particularly for young Nigerians watching those in positions of authority.

“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.

“The nation’s highest office should exemplify integrity, accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership.”

Obi further argued that having controversial aspects in one’s past was part of the human experience, but said public office holders should demonstrate the willingness to confront such issues honestly.

“An imperfect past is part of the human condition. What matters is the willingness to confront it with humility, honesty and deep apology, to make amends where necessary and, when circumstances so demand, to place the interests of the nation above personal ambition,” he said.

He questioned the continued prioritisation of personal political ambitions over the broader interests of the country.

“When will our political class fully appreciate that individual ambitions are temporary, while the nation endures?” Obi asked.

He stressed that political offices were temporary, but the standards established by those who occupy them could have lasting consequences for future generations.

“The Presidency is an office held for a season; the moral standards established by those who occupy it can influence generations,” he said.

Obi insisted that Nigeria’s interests must take precedence over those of any individual, regardless of the office occupied.

“Nigeria is greater than any one person, and the integrity of the Republic must always come before the interests of the individual,” he said.