Opposition Should Stop Old Accusations Against Tinubu and Focus on Solutions

Opposition leaders in Nigeria have been urged to stop bringing up old accusations against President Bola Tinubu. They should not think that this will distract him from his duties.

Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, a member of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, made this known. He called claims that the United States has reopened a drug-trafficking case against Tinubu ‘Political propaganda aimed at distracting Nigerians.’

Oyintiloye said this in a statement in Osogbo on Sunday. He warned opposition leaders against spreading what he called ‘falsehood.’

The former Osun State lawmaker pointed out that no court in the United States has reopened or ordered a criminal retrial against Tinubu. He added that no American judge has found the President guilty of drug trafficking.

He accused opposition leaders of using propaganda to mislead the public and gain sympathy before the 2027 general elections.

He explained that the “Matter generating controversy was a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit seeking access to records held by U.S. law-enforcement agencies, rather than a criminal prosecution or retrial. An FOIA case is about access to government records. It is not a criminal trial, a retrial or a judicial declaration of guilt.”

He also said that just because there are records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Drug Enforcement Administration, it does not mean someone is guilty of a crime.

He emphasized that investigative files can contain unproven claims, leads or information from other sources. He urged Nigerians and the media to avoid what he called ‘trial by document.’

“The controversy is part of a recurring pattern of allegations against Tinubu, especially during key moments in his political career. Tinubu has been in Nigeria’s political scene for decades and has faced several controversies along the way.

“Allegations about Tinubu’s academic credentials stirred a lot of public and media discussions during his time as Lagos State Governor from 1999 to 2007. The same claims came up again during the 2023 presidential campaign,” he said.

He accused opposition figures of “Recycling allegations about certificate forgery, criminality and drug trafficking instead of discussing real issues of governance with Nigerians.”

He challenged the opposition to provide credible alternatives through clear policies and programs that can improve Nigerians' lives.

The APC chieftain stated that Nigeria’s democracy should move past personal attacks and smear campaigns. He believes politicians should be judged on their ideas, manifestos, records and performance.

He also asked Nigerians to closely examine political claims and to differentiate between allegations, investigations, charges and convictions.

“Privacy is not a crime. An investigation is not a conviction. A document is not a fact just because it has a government agency seal on it.

“The opposition should share their manifesto, not engage in blackmail. They should tell Nigerians what they have to offer and why they deserve their votes,” he said.