Trump’s letter to Tinubu not an endorsement, says Timi Frank

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A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Timi Frank, has said a letter from United States President Donald Trump to President Bola Tinubu should be regarded as a routine diplomatic communication rather than an endorsement of the Nigerian leader’s administration.

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The Presidency on Wednesday said the US President has written personally to Tinubu to commend what he termed his “decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people.”

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According to a statement signed by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Trump disclosed in the letter that he had deployed US Special Operations Forces, including Navy SEAL Team 6, to train and support Nigeria’s military in the fight against terrorism.

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Reacting in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday, Frank said diplomatic correspondence between countries on areas of mutual interest, including security cooperation, should not be misconstrued as political support.

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He said, “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

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“It did not say the Trump administration is backing President Tinubu or supporting him for any election in Nigeria.”

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Frank maintained that such exchanges are common in diplomatic relations, particularly between countries collaborating on security and other strategic interests.

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He also noted that reports indicated the letter was dated July 6 but only became public weeks later, saying its publication would help provide clarity on its contents.

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The former APC spokesman recalled that former President Muhammadu Buhari met Trump at the White House during Trump’s first term, describing direct bilateral engagements as significant diplomatic milestones.

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He further stressed that the United States has consistently projected support for democracy, the rule of law, electoral integrity and human rights.

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“The United States remains committed to supporting efforts to address insecurity, protect election integrity and promote democratic values in Nigeria. That should not be mistaken for an endorsement of the Tinubu administration,” Frank said.

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He added that credibility and integrity “cannot be conferred by a letter or diplomatic exchange” but should be earned through “transparent leadership, accountability, respect for democratic institutions and faithful service to the people.”

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Frank urged the Tinubu administration to publish the reported letter, saying doing so would allow Nigerians to evaluate it within its proper diplomatic context.

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