Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Timi Frank, has asked President Bola Tinubu’s administration to stop deceiving Nigerians over United States President Donald Trump’s alleged endorsement letter.
In a statement on Thursday, Frank challenged the Tinubu administration to publish the full copy of Trump’s letter.
He described the letter as a routine diplomatic correspondence acknowledging security cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.
Frank insisted that any genuine communication from the American President should bear the official White House seal and President Trump’s signature.
“The letter is not from the White House. If it doesn’t have the White House seal and the signature of the President of the United States, it appears dubious at best,” Frank said, questioning the authenticity of the document being celebrated by the Federal Government.
He maintained that, even if the letter exists, it should not be interpreted as political support for Tinubu or his 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. It did not say the Trump administration is backing President Tinubu or supporting him for any election in Nigeria. The Presidency is only trying to change the narrative by presenting it as something more than it is,” Frank stated.
He noted that the letter was reportedly dated July 6 but only came into the public domain much later, arguing that if it truly represented a major political endorsement from President Trump, it would have been publicised immediately rather than surfacing weeks later.
“By celebrating this ‘letter’, the government is showing that it is looking for legitimacy and credibility before the international community. If it had confidence in its credibility, it would not make so much of an ordinary diplomatic letter,” he stated.
“President Trump invited Buhari when he was President. They stood together and addressed the world. If Tinubu believes President Trump is impressed with his administration, then he should visit Trump and stand side by side with him so the world can hear directly what he has achieved,” Frank said.
Frank recalled that President Trump hosted former President Muhammadu Buhari at the White House during his first term.
Recall that, in a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said President Trump wrote to Tinubu, commending the Federal Government for its efforts to tackle terrorism and the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Stop deceiving Nigerians, publish Trump’s letter to Tinubu’ — Timi Frank challenges Presidency