Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to publish the alleged endorsement letter from United States President Donald Trump or stop misleading Nigerians.
Frank, in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed claims that the reported correspondence from Trump amounted to an endorsement of Tinubu’s administration, insisting it was nothing more than a routine diplomatic communication acknowledging Nigeria’s cooperation with the United States on security matters.
He challenged the Presidency to make the document public, arguing that any genuine communication from the American President should carry the official White House seal and Trump’s signature.
“If the letter doesn’t bear the White House seal and the signature of the President of the United States, then its authenticity is questionable,” Frank said.
He maintained that even if such a letter exists, it should not be interpreted as political support for Tinubu or his administration.
“The letter only acknowledged Nigeria’s partnership with the United States in tackling insecurity. It did not endorse President Tinubu, his economic policies or his administration. It certainly did not say President Trump is backing Tinubu politically or supporting him in any future election. The Presidency is only trying to create a false narrative,” he alleged.
Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, further alleged that the publicity surrounding the reported letter was aimed at diverting public attention from discussions over court documents relating to President Tinubu’s alleged past drug-related case.
According to him, the reported letter was dated July 6 but only surfaced weeks later, a development he described as suspicious.
“If it was truly a major endorsement from President Trump, why wasn’t it made public immediately? Diplomatic letters like this are common between countries working together on security and other strategic issues. They should not be twisted into political endorsements,” he said.
Frank argued that the Federal Government’s celebration of the alleged correspondence suggested it was seeking international legitimacy rather than showcasing a major diplomatic achievement.
“By making so much noise about this letter, the government is simply showing it is desperate for international credibility. If it truly had confidence in its performance, it wouldn’t need to hype an ordinary diplomatic exchange,” he stated.
The former APC spokesman recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari was hosted at the White House during Trump’s first tenure, describing such direct engagement as carrying greater diplomatic significance.
“President Trump invited Buhari to the White House. They stood together and addressed the world. If Tinubu believes Trump truly admires his administration, he should also visit him so the world can hear directly from the American President,” Frank said.
He also questioned reports that the Federal Government had spent millions of dollars on lobbyists in the United States to improve its international image, insisting that a government with genuine credibility would have no reason to engage in expensive image laundering.
Frank further argued that the United States has always projected itself as a defender of democracy, electoral integrity, the rule of law and human rights.
“America will never support any government that is corrupt, tyrannical or unable to protect its citizens. Nigerians should not be deceived into believing that an ordinary diplomatic letter amounts to an endorsement of the Tinubu administration,” he said.
He insisted that issues surrounding court documents relating to Tinubu’s alleged past remained matters of public interest and should not be overshadowed by what he described as attempts to gain political mileage from a routine diplomatic exchange.
Frank challenged the Tinubu administration to publish the alleged letter in full.
“Credibility and integrity cannot be earned through a letter or a public relations campaign. They are earned through transparent leadership, accountability and faithful service to the people,” he added.
