The Presidency on Sunday dismissed any notion of fresh revelations emerging from a United States court order directing the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Drug Enforcement Administration to release files on President Bola Tinubu’s past investigation. It insisted that the records, which date back to a drug trafficking investigation in Chicago from the early 1990s, have been publicly available for over three decades and posed no fresh concerns for the President. This followed a ruling by Judge Beryl Howell of the U.S. District Court in Washington, DC, who instructed both agencies to conduct searches and process non-exempt documents in response to Freedom of Information Act requests filed by American legal researcher Aaron Greenspan. A copy of the court decision, obtained Sunday, shows that the FBI and DEA must comply with Greenspan’s FOIA submissions related to a Chicago-based narcotics ring from the early 1990s—“involving Tinubu and three others: Lee Andrew Edwards, Mueez Akande, and Abiodun Agbele.” “The FBI and DEA have both officially confirmed investigations of Tinubu relating to the drug trafficking ring,” the court stated, adding that “privacy interests are outweighed by the public interest in the release of such information.” Reacting to the development, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said, “There is nothing new to be revealed. The report by Agent Moss of the FBI and the DEA has been in the public space for more than 30 years. The reports did not indict the Nigerian leader.” Onanuga confirmed that government lawyers were reviewing the US judge’s ruling, arguing that the documents add no fresh dimension to Tinubu’s past. The order, issued by Judge Howell on April 8, mandates the FBI and DEA to conduct searches and process any non-exempt documents in response to Freedom of Information Act requests filed by American legal researcher Aaron Greenspan. Greenspan, who runs the transparency platform PlainSite, submitted 12 FOIA requests between 2022 and 2023. His filings sought information on a Chicago-based drug trafficking operation from the early 1990s and included requests for records concerning Tinubu and three others: Lee Andrew Edwards, Mueez Akande, and Abiodun Agbele. Until now, the FBI and DEA had issued “Glomar responses,” declining to confirm or deny the existence of the records. However, the court ruled that such responses were not justified in this case. It stated that both agencies had effectively confirmed the existence of investigations involving Tinubu and must now proceed with releasing relevant materials unless they are legally exempt. In her decision, Judge Howell stressed that any potential privacy concerns were outweighed by the public interest in the case. The ruling noted that the agencies failed to provide sufficient justification for withholding the information. The judgment read, “The FBI and DEA have both officially confirmed investigations of Tinubu relating to the drug trafficking ring. “Any privacy interests implicated by the FOIA requests to the FBI and DEA for records about Tinubu are overcome by the public interest in release of such information. “Since the FBI and DEA have provided no information to establish that a cognizable privacy interest exists in keeping secret the fact that Tinubu was a subject of criminal investigation. “They have failed to meet their burden to sustain their Glomar responses and provide an additional reason why these responses must be lifted.” While the FBI and DEA were ordered to comply with the FOIA requests, the court upheld the CIA’s decision to withhold records, after Greenspan acknowledged the agency had valid grounds under existing law. All parties involved have been instructed to file a joint report on the progress of the case by May 2, 2025. The judge ruled, “For the reasons discussed above, the plaintiff is entitled to summary judgment as to each of the four Glomar responses asserted by defendants FBI and DEA, while defendant CIA is entitled to summary judgment since its Glomar response was properly asserted. “Accordingly, the FBI and DEA must search for and process non-exempt records responsive to the FOIA requests directed to these agencies. “The CIA, meanwhile, is entitled to judgment in its favour in this case. The remaining parties are directed to file jointly, by May 2, 2025, a report on the status of any outstanding issues in this case, as described in the accompanying order.” However, the Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, while speaking on Sunday’s edition of Channels Television’s Politics Today, stated that the information being sought wouldn’t be different from what was already in the public domain. According to him, the buzz around the news was mainly because of the way the media and opposition interpreted it. He said, “Nothing’s new at all. So, let’s wait for the 2nd of May because there is actually nothing that they are seeking for which has not been released. I mean it is intended to create unnecessary conversation as if there is an issue on the table. “So, there is nothing actually in what was published in the ruling of the court that is new. Everything has been in the public domain for ages. But you know, the opposition will want to feast on it because in the absence of better ideas, that is the only thing they can cling on to, in the hope that they will probably misinterpret the public. Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who ran against Tinubu in the 2023 presidential polls, has welcomed the American court’s order. He argued that if the disclosed records prove the President ineligible to hold office, Tinubu “should step aside” for the sake of Nigeria’s global image. “Anyone occupying the Presidency must not be of tainted character,” Atiku said in a statement through his media aide, Paul Ibe. He added that the entire fiasco underscored the need for “full disclosure” on matters such as alleged forfeitures and academic credentials. The former VP stated, “What it means is that the efforts of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar will not be in vain, and what will be uncovered is His Excellency’s attempt to ascertain exactly what transpired – the circumstances surrounding the forfeiture of thousands of dollars allegedly linked to drug trafficking—and the issue concerning the Chicago State University certificate. “The reason is clear, the matter of the presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, whoever occupies that position must not be someone of tainted character. “The government must ensure full disclosure. It is important, Nigerians need to know the background, academic records, age, state of origin, and the schools the leader attended.” Atiku argued the importance of the ruling, saying it involves the world’s largest Black democracy. “The fact that this issue concerns the government and the occupant of the office makes it even more significant. This is not just about Nigeria. “This is the foremost Black nation in the world—the most populous. And so, we mean something to people around the world, especially the global Black community. “It’s actually about time. And it’s a welcome development so we can clear the air about the issues that have been raised. Well, it’s not even just about future elections,” he stated. Atiku said if found wanting, the President must vacate office to quit “dragging the country into shame.” “If it’s established that the President, based on the revealed records, is not qualified, then the honourable thing for him to do would be to step aside. “That would be the natural course of action. He shouldn’t continue to drag the country into shame. “We are a nation governed by laws. Our young people are watching closely. They are observing how we respond in moments like this.” Also, the People’s Democratic Party stated that the ruling by the United States District Court in Columbia would give Nigerians the chance to truly understand who their President is. PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, stated in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH that the development also provides President Tinubu with an opportunity to clear his name – if he genuinely has nothing to hide. On April 8, the court directed the FBI and DEA to release documents linked to the criminal investigation of President Bola Tinubu concerning alleged drug trafficking. The ruling, which was made available on the court’s website and reviewed by The PUNCH on Sunday, saw Judge Beryl Howell instruct both agencies to identify and process all non-exempt records in response to Freedom of Information Act requests filed by American researcher Aaron Greenspan. Greenspan, who founded the legal transparency platform PlainSite, had submitted 12 FOIA requests between 2022 and 2023, seeking information about a drug ring that operated In response, Osadolor urged President Tinubu to respect the court order and allow the legal process to proceed without filing an appeal. He stated, “Well, in this society, why would the leader of over 230 million people feel the need to hide his past? I believe what the U.S. court has done is not only commendable but also stands in stark contrast to the actions of some of our Nigerian judicial counterparts. I would expect the Nigerian judiciary to take a leaf of courage from the U.S. court’s decision, understanding that no one is above the law, and that everyone should be held accountable for their past, present, and future actions. “President Tinubu should see this as a wake-up call and allow the U.S. court to proceed with its actions. Let the rule of law and the judiciary thrive in Nigeria. He should stop trying to appeal or discredit the pronouncements made by the U.S. court. “Considering the numerous appeals he filed during the last campaign season, I believe it’s time he clears his name once and for all—if he truly has nothing to hide. And if he does have something to hide, this is the best time to come clean before the Nigerian people. This is an opportunity for Nigerians to know who he truly is. “He should be transparent and let Nigerians move forward with the truth and facts as they stand. If, after being exposed, Nigerians still choose to support him, then let that be their democratic choice. But he should not keep Nigerians in the dark about his true identity or past records.”

Liberal Prime Minister Carney says he’s the man to take on Trump, as Conservative Poilievre says time for change. The leaders of Canada’s four major political parties have faced off in a French-language debate, a night before taking the stage for the English-language counterpart. Wednesday’s event featured Liberal Party leader and current Prime Minister Mark Carney and his top rival, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, as well as the leaders of Bloc Quebecois, Yves-Francois Blanchet, and the New Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh. The English language debate on Thursday will round out the only two debates before the April 28 vote, which comes after Carney called for a snap election in March, in advance of the officially scheduled October 20 vote. In a last-minute move, the Leaders’ Debates Commission dropped the Green Party, and its co-leader Jonathan Pedneault, from both debates, saying the party was not running enough candidates to meet the qualifying criteria. The debate was also moved up two hours to avoid conflicting with a Montreal Canadiens playoff-qualifying match. The majority of Canada’s about 10 million French speakers live in the province of Quebec, where the team is based. Here were the top takeaways from Wednesday’s debate: In just under three months in office, US President Donald Trump has undertaken one of the most significant shifts in US relations with Canada in history. His actions have included imposing wide-ranging tariffs on the northern neighbour and, in an unprecedented threat of annexation, repeatedly suggesting making Canada the “51st” state. On Wednesday, Carney, whose Liberal party has seen surging support in the face of Trump’s threats, sought to centre the US president, saying the election is about “who will face up to Trump”. “In a crisis, you have to have a plan,” said Carney, who spent the night pushing his economic bonafides, which included leading the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England Poilievre, who in the past has been likened to a Canadian “mini Trump”, pledged to negotiate a deal that would bring down tariffs, while saying he would protect Canadian sovereignty. “We will never be an American state,” he said. Bloc Quebecois leader Blanchet, meanwhile, accused Carney of failing to protect Quebec in his early response to Trump. “So far, all we have seen is efforts being deployed to protect the Ontario economy, which is the way Canada defines itself,” he said. For Poilievre, who for months had a commanding polling lead over the Liberals, sought to drive home one unifying theme: That Canadians want change after nine and a half years of a Liberal government, led mostly by Justin Trudeau. Poilievre said Carney was repeating the same promises Trudeau had made during his time in power and accused his party of driving up housing prices and weakening the economy by blocking natural resource development. Carney shot back that he was leading the Bank of England from 2013 to 2019, as he sought to distance himself from the Liberals’ policies during that period. “You are just like Justin Trudeau … we need change and you, Mr Carney, are not change,” Poilievre told Carney. “Mr Poilievre is not Mr Trudeau and neither am I,” Carney shot back. Poilievre also took particular aim at the Liberals’ immigration policies. Trudeau had boosted visas to work in Canada to address labour shortages after the COVID-19 pandemic, but cut those caps dramatically last year as critics seized on the country’s rapid population growth. The Conservative candidate said liberals allowed immigration to “spiral out of control”. Carney also sought to differentiate himself from the Liberals’ past policies, saying the “system isn’t working, especially after the pandemic”. He said he supported keeping the lowered caps in place for the time being. Poilievre added he would block those seeking safety from violence-wracked Haiti, while Carney said he supported temporary caps on asylum seekers. “We have to be human, but we have to be realistic. Canada can’t accept everyone,” he said. Meanwhile, the New Democratic Party’s Singh said that in light of Trump’s crackdown on refugees and asylum seekers, Canada should end its “Safe Third Party” agreement with the US. The agreement allows Canada to turn back asylum seekers who enter from the US. “We’re talking about a dangerous situation, and we should respond with compassion,” Singh said. The economic uncertainty spurred by Trump’s tariffs has also brought renewed focus on Canada’s energy policy. Hailing from the country’s oil capital, Alberta, Poilievre has long pushed for deregulation and boosting oil production. On Wednesday, he promised to surge oil production through more oil pipelines. Carney also signalled a willingness to boost oil production through pipelines, but said approval would be needed from both Quebec and Indigenous groups, as is required under law. “This is Canada. That’s how Canada works,” Carney said. Still, upon being pressed, he said the environment remained a Liberal priority. Bloc Quebecois leader Blanchet accused both the Liberal and Conservative leaders of ignoring the ravages of climate change. “The denial of the reality of climate change since the beginning of this campaign and the change of heart of Mr Carney, who decided to be more conservative than Mr Poilievre, is very harmful for our environment,” Blanchet said. Carney, the only candidate on stage lacking a strong grasp of the French language, generally managed to hold his own throughout the debate and avoid any major faux pas. Still, the issue of language rights and preservation featured prominently, including discussion of Bill 96, a sweeping 2022 reform to Quebec’s law that limited the use of English in some government services and courts. The law has been challenged by non-French-speaking groups in the province, and remains a delicate subject for candidates seeking to win support in Quebec. Poilievre said he “will continue to support laws and policies that allow Quebec and the federal government to protect the French language all across Canada”. Carney was more circumspect, saying, “The question is, do we have rights and freedoms here in Canada? Are we equal?” “We need to consider the right balance.” Carney also pledged that the Liberal government would seek to bolster the declining French-speaking population in Canada by increasing the rate of francophone immigrants to provinces outside of Quebec from 10 to 12 percent. Follow Al Jazeera English:...

The North-Central All Progressives Congress Forum has passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu and the party’s National Chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje. It added that following the party’s National Executive Committee meeting held on Wednesday, it has ended all agitations over leadership positions in the party. PUNCH Online reports that the NEC meeting, which was held at the APC national secretariat in Abuja on Wednesday, ratified the zoning of the party’s chairmanship to the North-West. Before the development, the position had been zoned to the North-Central. However, Abdullahi Ganduje, from Kano State in the North-West, was appointed the APC national chairman after the ex-governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Adamu, was removed without completing his tenure. The North-Central APC Forum, which agitated for the zone to be allowed to complete Adamu’s tenure, had gone to court to seek Ganduje’s removal as national chairman. However, the APC Forum suspended the demand for Ganduje’s removal, pending the decision of the party’s NEC. With the ratification of zoning of the national chairmanship to the North-West, Ganduje’s position has been validated by the NEC. The NEC, at its Wednesday meeting, also passed a vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu and Ganduje. Reacting in a statement by its Chairman, Saleh Zazzaga, on Thursday, the forum said it has decided to drop all agitations and align with the position of the party’s national leadership. The North-Central APC forum added that it would support Ganduje in reconciling aggrieved members of the party. The statement reads, “As loyal party members interested in the progress of the APC, we agree with all the decisions taken at the NEC meeting. We endorse the vote of confidence passed on President Bola Tinubu and the national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje. “The NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party and the NEC has passed a vote of confidence on the national chairman. We respect the decision of Mr President and the NEC. As a result of that, we have decided to stop all agitations concerning the leadership and other issues in the APC. “We are urging all members of the party to support President Bola Tinubu and the national chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje. We also seek the support of all North-Central stakeholders for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume as the leader of the party in the zone. “We recognize Senator Akume as our father in the North-Central. Having decided to stop all agitations, there is nothing left than to unite ourselves in the interest of the zone and to give massive support to President Bola Tinubu in all his policies and in future elections.”