A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has written to United States President Donald Trump, urging his administration to send a high-level delegation to Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Frank said the involvement of the United States could help strengthen efforts to ensure credible elections, promote accountability and restore public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
In an open letter titled “No Mandate From Fraud: Election 2027,” the APC chieftain called on Washington to make electoral integrity a priority in its diplomatic engagement with Nigeria before voters go to the polls.
He urged the Trump administration to begin discussions with Nigeria’s political leaders, electoral authorities and other relevant institutions well before the elections, rather than waiting until disputes emerge after the exercise.
“The time to act is before the elections, not after,” he said.
Frank argued that early diplomatic engagement could help establish clear expectations for the conduct of the polls and encourage public officials to discharge their responsibilities without political interference.
He also called on the United States to work with other international partners to promote a transparent electoral process and encourage Nigerian institutions to address violations of electoral laws.
The former APC spokesman expressed concern about public perceptions of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), stressing that confidence in the commission would be important to the acceptance of the 2027 election results.
He said steps taken before the polls could help strengthen trust in the electoral process and reduce concerns about the credibility of the outcome.
According to him, the responsibility for conducting credible elections rests primarily with Nigerian institutions, but international diplomatic engagement could support efforts to uphold democratic standards and ensure that electoral rules are respected.
Frank urged Washington to consider sending a delegation comprising senior officials to observe developments and engage relevant stakeholders before the election period begins in earnest.
He also encouraged the United States to maintain communication with Nigerian authorities throughout the process, with attention to the conduct of electoral officials, security agencies and the judiciary.
The APC chieftain maintained that every institution involved in the election must operate within the limits of the law and remain committed to impartiality.
He particularly highlighted the role of security agencies, saying their conduct could influence voters’ confidence and their willingness to participate in the electoral process.
Frank said security personnel should protect voters and electoral officials regardless of political affiliation.
He also stressed that the agencies must avoid actions that could give the impression that they were working for any political party or candidate.
He further called for professionalism among judicial officers who may be required to handle disputes arising from the elections, noting that the resolution of electoral cases would be important to the broader process.
Frank’s proposal places particular emphasis on preventive measures.
Rather than relying solely on election observation after voting has commenced, he wants the United States to engage Nigerian institutions early and encourage commitments that can be assessed before election day.
However, any foreign delegation would operate within the framework of Nigeria’s sovereignty and the country’s laws governing elections and international engagement.
The conduct of the polls would remain the responsibility of the relevant Nigerian authorities.
Frank also connected the issue of credible elections to wider questions of governance, economic development and national stability.
He argued that the credibility of the electoral process matters beyond the announcement of winners because it influences how citizens perceive government and public institutions.
He said accountable leadership and public confidence in democratic institutions were important to creating an environment where citizens could pursue economic opportunities and contribute to national development.
The former APC official also linked governance challenges to migration, suggesting that improvements in leadership and economic conditions could help address some of the factors that encourage Nigerians to seek opportunities abroad.
He called for stronger cooperation between Nigeria and the United States, particularly in areas such as security, energy development and economic partnership.
According to Frank, electoral integrity should form part of that relationship, alongside other areas of mutual interest.
He urged the Trump administration to use its diplomatic engagement to encourage a process in which voters can freely express their choices and electoral institutions can perform their duties without undue pressure.
He further maintained that the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend on the actions of Nigerian officials and institutions, including INEC, security agencies and the judiciary.
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