The Presidency has strongly refuted recent claims suggesting that President Bola Tinubu is an operative of the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). This rebuttal follows a U.S. District Court ruling which stated that Nigerians cannot gain unrestricted access to information about Tinubu’s past, particularly concerning alleged drug investigations.
The case in question was initiated by Nigerian investigative journalist David Hundeyin, who sought the release of President Tinubu’s records from the CIA, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). According to reports from Sahara Reporters, the intelligence agencies submitted a joint memorandum opposing the release of such sensitive information.
In their submission, the CIA reportedly hinted that Tinubu could be an "active CIA asset," raising concerns over the potential risks of disclosing any related information. The agency stressed that confirming or denying such ties could endanger Tinubu’s safety and compromise the security of other individuals connected to U.S. intelligence operations. The memorandum also highlighted the importance of safeguarding their sources, warning that public disclosure could lead to retaliation against individuals cooperating with U.S. agencies.
Reacting to the allegations, Dada Olusegun, Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Social Media, dismissed the claims as unfounded and likened them to previous accusations surrounding Tinubu's identity and background. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Olusegun criticized the recurring nature of these allegations, stating:
"They told you he was a lady. You believed. They told you Yorubas don’t bear Tinubu. You believed. They told you he can’t be allowed into the US. You believed. They told you his name is not his name. You believed. Now they brought another one. Here you are as usual. Tragic."
The ongoing discourse around Tinubu’s identity and affiliations continues to dominate public conversations, with supporters and critics debating the credibility of such claims. Meanwhile, the Presidency remains steadfast in rejecting what it describes as baseless accusations.
