Electoral Reforms: Ex-APC Spokesman Timi Frank Petitions Trump

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has petitioned United States President Donald Trump, warning that Nigeria’s democracy was facing an existential threat and could descend into chaos if alleged plans to manipulate the 2027 general election were not stopped.

In an open letter dated February 7, 2026, Frank accused the ruling APC and the leadership of the National Assembly of plotting to impose a one-party authoritarian system, a move he described as “political genocide” against Nigerians.

He called on Trump and the international community to urgently intervene, cautioning that failure to act could lead to widespread unrest, violent conflict and a breakdown of law and order ahead of the 2027 polls.

“Nigeria’s general elections scheduled for February 2027 are under serious threat. If current developments are not addressed, they may result in widespread unrest, possible anarchy, and a breakdown of law and order,” Frank warned.

Frank alleged that the Senate leadership was deliberately undermining electoral reforms meant to curb fraud, accusing lawmakers of systematically removing a key provision of the Electoral Act 2022, which he claimed reflected the will of over 80 per cent of Nigerians.

“The ruling party, working closely with the Nigerian Senate under a highly compromised Senate President, has begun laying the groundwork to manipulate and rig the 2027 general elections,” he alleged.

According to him, the same provision was ignored during the 2023 general election—an exercise he described as “deeply flawed”—and is now being dismantled again to consolidate power.

The former APC spokesperson also criticised the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, citing voter turnout figures and observer reports to question the credibility of the process.

“The current President was declared winner with only 36.61 per cent of the total votes cast… from an eligible voter population of over 93 million. These figures alone raise serious concerns about the credibility of the process,” he claimed.

Frank referenced reports by international observers, including the European Union Election Observation Mission, which highlighted transparency gaps and operational failures, as well as calls by the US State Department for improvements by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He urged the United States to consider measures against the Senate President, whom he accused of spearheading efforts to disenfranchise Nigerians.

“The current Senate President appears determined to use his position to silence opposition voices and disenfranchise Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections,” Frank said, adding that the 10th National Assembly was “widely viewed as one of the weakest in Nigeria’s history.”

Frank, who currently serves as the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East and Senior Adviser to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, further alleged that key state institutions were being pressured to entrench partisan control.

“The ruling party is actively engaging in what can only be described as political genocide, using intimidation, coercion, and pressure to control the military, police, judiciary, and other institutions of state,” he claimed.

He also accused the Federal Government of spending millions of dollars on lobbying firms in Washington to polish its international image instead of tackling insecurity and governance challenges at home.

“This administration has spent millions of dollars hiring lobbyists… not to improve governance at home, but to launder its international image and avoid accountability,” Frank alleged.

Citing testimony by a former US Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, Frank said the Nigerian government had failed to inspire confidence among international partners.

“This government has not given us any reason to trust them,” Brownback was quoted as saying.

Frank urged Trump and US lawmakers to be cautious in their engagement with the Nigerian government, warning against any action that could legitimise what he described as illegality and oppression.

“Any blanket endorsement risks legitimising illegality and oppression in Nigeria,” he warned, adding that timely U.S. intervention could help preserve stability in West Africa’s largest democracy.

He concluded with a plea for international support to ensure credible elections and prevent Nigeria from sliding into authoritarianism.

“Continued disregard for these principles may spell disaster for an already fragile nation, under the watch of the international community,” Frank stated.