Comrade Timi Frank, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has raised doubts over the authenticity and interpretation of a reported letter sent by United States President Donald Trump commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration on its security efforts. ​
Speaking in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, Frank questioned the narrative presented by the presidency following a statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
Onanuga had disclosed details of a July 6, 2026, correspondence in which Trump reportedly lauded Tinubu’s “decisive leadership” in tackling terrorism and protecting vulnerable communities. ​
Frank urged Nigerians and the international community to approach the alleged endorsement with skepticism, arguing that routine diplomatic correspondence should not be misrepresented as a blanket political endorsement or a validation of the administration’s broader performance.
Frank emphasized that formal exchanges between heads of state often contain diplomatic courtesy language and do not equate to approval of domestic policies or governance track records.
He urged the U.S. State Department and the U.S. Embassy in Abuja to clarify the context and scope of the correspondence to prevent political misrepresentation.
Frank noted that international relations and defense roadmaps such as the U.S.–Nigeria 2026 Defense Cooperation Roadmap are institutional arrangements that transcend individual administrations and should not be leveraged for partisan PR.
​”Diplomatic communication must not be conflated with an endorsement of internal governance. The American government has consistently maintained strict standards on human rights and security accountability, and routine state correspondence should not be spun to mislead the public,” Frank stated. ​
The controversy follows public statements from the presidency highlighting U.S. support for Nigeria’s counter-terrorism operations, including intelligence sharing and tactical cooperation.
Frank, who serves as Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East for the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP), reiterated his stance that Washington must hold Nigerian authorities to high standards regarding security and rule of law before offering unreserved praise.
