Former All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Publicity Secretary Timi Frank has dismissed claims that a letter from United States President Donald Trump to President Bola Tinubu amounted to political endorsement, insisting it was simply a routine diplomatic communication focused on security cooperation.
The Presidency announced on Wednesday that Donald Trump had written to President Bola Tinubu, praising what it described as his “decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people.” According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the letter also disclosed that the United States had deployed Special Operations Forces, including Navy SEAL Team 6, to train and support Nigerian troops in the fight against terrorism.
Reacting in a statement issued in Abuja, Timi Frank argued that the correspondence should not be interpreted as political support for the Tinubu administration.
“The letter only commended Nigeria for partnering with the United States in addressing insecurity. That is the only reason President Trump may have written it. It was not an endorsement of President Tinubu’s leadership, his economic policies or his administration,” Frank said.
He added, “It did not say the Trump administration is backing President Tinubu or supporting him for any election in Nigeria.”
According to Timi Frank, such diplomatic exchanges are common between countries pursuing shared security interests and should not be mistaken for political endorsements. He also noted that reports suggested the letter was dated 6 July but was only released weeks later, arguing that making it public would allow Nigerians to assess its contents independently.
Frank further recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari met Donald Trump at the White House during Trump’s first term, describing that engagement as a more significant diplomatic milestone. He maintained that the United States has consistently supported democracy, electoral integrity, the rule of law and human rights in Nigeria.
Calling for greater transparency, Timi Frank urged the Federal Government to release the full letter, stressing that “Credibility and integrity cannot be conferred by a letter or diplomatic exchange. They must be earned through transparent leadership, accountability, respect for democratic institutions and faithful service to the people.”
Do you think the publication of the full letter would help clarify the debate surrounding its purpose?
