Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has challenged the Presidency to publish the alleged letter from United States President Donald Trump, arguing that it should not be presented as an endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja, Frank described the reported correspondence as a routine diplomatic communication acknowledging Nigeria’s cooperation with the United States on security matters, rather than political support for Tinubu.
He questioned the authenticity of the alleged letter, insisting that any official communication from the U.S. President should bear the White House seal and President Trump’s signature.
“The letter only commended Nigeria for partnering with the United States in addressing insecurity. It was not an endorsement of President Tinubu’s leadership, his economic policies or his administration,” Frank said.
The former APC spokesman also alleged that the publicity surrounding the reported letter was intended to divert public attention from discussions over court documents relating to President Tinubu’s alleged past drug-related case.
Frank noted that the letter was reportedly dated July 6 but surfaced publicly several weeks later, arguing that if it represented a major diplomatic development, it would have been released immediately.
He described such correspondence as a common diplomatic practice between the United States and countries collaborating on security and strategic interests, warning against interpreting it as political backing.
According to him, the Federal Government’s celebration of the reported letter suggests an attempt to seek international legitimacy rather than highlight an exceptional diplomatic achievement.
Frank further compared the development with former President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit to the White House during President Trump’s first term, saying the meeting carried greater diplomatic significance than a reported letter.
He also questioned reports that the Federal Government had spent millions of dollars on lobbyists in the United States to improve its international image, arguing that a credible government would not require such efforts.
Frank maintained that the United States remains committed to supporting democracy, electoral integrity, the rule of law and human rights, adding that its cooperation with Nigeria on security issues should not be misconstrued as an endorsement of the Tinubu administration.
He further urged the Presidency to publish the alleged letter, insisting that credibility and legitimacy are earned through transparency, accountability and good governance, not through diplomatic correspondence.
