September 1, 2026
Press Statement
Drug Allegations: APM Confident US Court will Call Tinubu to Account.
The Allied Peoples Movement (APM) is confident that the United States judicial system will uphold its reputation for integrity, transparency, and independence by holding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu accountable in the narcotic-related case linked to him.
The party asserts that the plea by President Tinubu before the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia on August 28, 2026, to block a summary judgment and prevent the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from releasing incriminating documents allegedly linking him to narcotic trafficking, further confirms his fear of conviction.
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.
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.
Citing the right to privacy and the potential impact of the release of these incriminating documents on Nigerian politics (ostensibly, the 2027 presidential election) as reasons to stall the case demonstrates that the President is troubled by the implications of Section 137 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) regarding this self-inflicted situation.
For clarity, Section 137(1)(d) provides that a person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if “he… is under a sentence of imprisonment or fine for any offence involving dishonesty or fraud (by whatever name called).” It is instructive to note that Nigeria is a signatory to all three major international treaties on drug and narcotic control.
The APM remains optimistic that the U.S. court will determine the matter strictly in accordance with the law and the evidence presented.
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.
Nigerians are confident in this pursuit because the United States judicial system has demonstrated on several occasions that political status does not place an individual above the law. A notable example is the case of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández, who was convicted by a U.S. federal jury in Manhattan on drug-related charges in March 2024.
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.
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 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.
We also advise all those presenting themselves for the office of the President of Nigeria to be prepared to face public scrutiny regarding their records.
For our part, the APM is proud of our presidential candidate and Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who embodies the desire of Nigerians for an honest, transparent, and competent leader with the capacity, integrity, and skills to turn around the fortunes and image of our nation for the benefit of all citizens.
Signed:
Yusuf Abubakar National Publicity Secretary