Drug allegations: Withdraw from 2027 race, APM tells Tinubu

From **Ndubuisi Orji, **Abuja

The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) has asked President Bola Tinubu to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race over unresolved allegations concerning his alleged links to a drug-related investigation in the United States.

The opposition party said questions surrounding the controversy and ongoing efforts to obtain records from United States agencies made it necessary for the President to clear the air before seeking another term.

In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Abubakar, the APM said Nigeria deserved a president whose record was free from unresolved questions bordering on integrity.

The party hinged its latest demand on an August 28, 2026 filing before the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in litigation seeking the release of records allegedly relating to Tinubu from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

According to the APM, Tinubu’s attempt to oppose summary judgment and prevent the release of the documents raised further questions about the controversy.

It accused the President’s lawyers of seeking to stall the proceedings and prevent disclosure of information that could be of public interest. “The APM maintains that the desperation exhibited by President Tinubu’s lawyers to stall the case and frustrate the release of vital evidence on the grounds that such disclosure would affect him personally is viewed by Nigerians and the global community as an admission of guilt,” the party alleged.

No court has established that Tinubu committed a drug-related offence, and his opposition to the disclosure of records does not, by itself, amount to an admission of guilt.

The APM, however, argued that if the President was confident that the records contained nothing incriminating, he should support their release as an opportunity to resolve the controversy.

“If, indeed, President Tinubu’s lawyers were convinced of his innocence, they should have boldly used this case as an opportunity to help their client clear his name once and for all, rather than seeking to suppress evidence,” it said. The party claimed that arguments relating to privacy and the possible political consequences of releasing the documents had heightened concerns because Tinubu is seeking reelection in 2027.

It also referenced Section 137 of the 1999 Constitution, arguing that questions concerning the eligibility and integrity of anyone seeking the presidency were legitimate matters of public interest.

“As a party, we insist that no individual, regardless of their political position, should be beyond the reach of the law, especially regarding drug-related issues of legitimate concern to the entire world,” the APM said.

The party expressed confidence in the independence of the United States judicial system, saying the litigation should be allowed to run its course and the facts established.

It cited the conviction of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández by a U.S. federal jury in Manhattan in March 2024 on drug-related charges as an example of the American judicial system prosecuting politically exposed persons.

The APM stressed, however, that its demand centred on public scrutiny of Tinubu as Nigeria’s President and a contender in the 2027 election.

“President Tinubu currently presides over the affairs of more than 200 million Nigerians. His past and present actions are, therefore, matters of legitimate public interest, particularly as the nation heads toward the 2027 presidential election, in which he is a major contender,” it said.

“As a political party committed to democracy, justice and the rule of law, our position is straightforward: let the facts be established, let the evidence be tested, and let justice take its course.”

The party consequently urged Tinubu to reconsider his reelection bid pending the resolution of the controversy.

“The APM restates that at this critical juncture, Nigeria deserves a president free from questions of fraud, corruption and dishonesty. We, therefore, counsel President Tinubu to spare the nation the pain, cost and embarrassment of this situation by stepping down from the race,” it said.

The APM also urged other presidential aspirants to be prepared to subject their records to public scrutiny as the country approaches the 2027 general election.

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