Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has appealed to United States President Donald Trump, the United Nations (UN) and other international organisations to intervene diplomatically over alleged threats to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
Frank made the appeal in an open letter addressed to Trump and other international leaders on Monday, calling for urgent measures to protect Atiku’s safety and political rights amid concerns that opposition figures could face intimidation, arrest or detention during the build-up to the polls.
He urged the United States, the UN, the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom to engage the Nigerian government and seek assurances that opposition politicians would be able to participate freely in the electoral process.
According to Frank, international partners should act before political tensions escalate, rather than wait for an incident that could threaten the safety of opposition leaders or undermine confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
“These allegations must be independently and urgently investigated. Given their gravity, however, they cannot be dismissed or ignored until it is too late to prevent harm,” he said.
Frank, who also serves as an ambassador of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) to East Africa and the Middle East, argued that protecting political opponents was a fundamental responsibility of any democratic government.
“The protection of political opposition is not a favour that any government grants at its discretion. It is a fundamental obligation of every democratic state,” he said.
The allegations and concerns expressed in the letter were presented by Frank; the claims do not, in themselves, establish that a threat against Atiku has been verified or that the Nigerian government has planned any action against him.
Frank raises concerns over possible use of EFCC
A central part of Frank’s appeal concerns the possible use of anti-corruption agencies against opposition politicians, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
He expressed concern that proceedings involving Atiku could potentially lead to his arrest and prolonged detention during the election campaign, potentially affecting his ability to participate in political activities.
Frank, however, stressed that his position should not be interpreted as a demand for immunity from investigation for Atiku or any other politician.
Instead, he argued that law enforcement agencies must operate independently, rely on credible evidence and comply with established legal procedures, regardless of the political affiliations of the individuals under investigation.
“The concern is not that Atiku Abubakar should be placed above the law. The concern is that the law must never be placed at the service of political persecution,” he said.
He called on the Federal Government to ensure that any investigation involving opposition figures was conducted transparently and in accordance with due process.
Frank also cautioned against actions that could create the perception that anti-corruption institutions were being used to settle political disputes or weaken opponents of the government.
His argument was that investigations should be judged by the evidence supporting them, the fairness of the procedures followed and the consistency with which the law is applied.
Former APC spokesman alleges selective application of anti-corruption laws
Frank further questioned what he described as the selective application of anti-corruption laws, arguing that public confidence in the EFCC and similar institutions depended on their willingness to investigate allegations fairly across political divides.
He maintained that individuals with close connections to the presidency should not be shielded from legitimate scrutiny while opposition figures face investigations that could be perceived as politically motivated.
“If the government expects Nigerians to trust its anti-corruption institutions, those institutions must demonstrate that justice is neither partisan nor selective,” he said.
Frank described Atiku as one of Nigeria’s most prominent opposition figures, arguing that his criticism of government policies and participation in debates about governance and accountability were legitimate aspects of democratic politics.
He said disagreements between political leaders and the government should be resolved through lawful procedures, public debate and electoral competition rather than intimidation.
“The test of Nigeria’s democracy is not whether the government protects its allies, but whether it protects the rights of those who challenge it,” he added.
The former APC spokesman did not, in the material provided, establish that the EFCC had been directed to arrest Atiku or that any investigation involving the former vice-president was being pursued for political reasons. Such claims would require independent verification and a response from the relevant authorities.
Frank questions comments attributed to Wike
The letter also referred to public statements attributed to prominent political figures, including the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
Frank argued that comments interpreted by critics as suggesting confidence in a predetermined election outcome could raise questions about the credibility of the electoral process.
“No political party or public official has the authority to predetermine the will of the Nigerian people.
“Elections must be won through the ballot, not through intimidation, institutional manipulation, or declarations that suggest the outcome has been settled in advance,” he said.
He did not establish in the letter, as presented, that the election outcome had been predetermined or that electoral institutions had been manipulated. His remarks were framed as a warning against statements or conduct that could undermine public confidence in the fairness of the 2027 polls.
Frank urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security agencies to protect the electoral process and ensure that all political parties and candidates could exercise their rights without intimidation.
He also called on the authorities to guarantee a level playing field for political campaigns and ensure that security agencies carried out their responsibilities impartially.
Calls for international election observers
Beyond the concerns surrounding Atiku’s safety, Frank urged international partners to support credible and independent election observation missions before, during and after the 2027 general election.
He said such missions should closely monitor political violence, voter intimidation, restrictions on campaign activities, the conduct of security agencies and the transparency of electoral procedures.
According to him, early international engagement could help identify potential risks, reassure political actors and strengthen confidence in the electoral process before disputes escalate.
Frank argued that international organisations should not wait until a major incident occurs before engaging Nigerian authorities on issues affecting political participation and electoral credibility.
“Preventive diplomacy is not merely desirable; it is a responsibility,” he said.
His proposal places emphasis on diplomatic engagement and election monitoring as preventive measures, rather than intervention in Nigeria’s choice of political leadership.
Independent election observation can help document the conduct of an election and identify shortcomings, although its effectiveness depends on access, impartiality and the willingness of relevant institutions to address credible concerns.
Frank says Nigerians must decide their next president
Frank stressed that his appeal to Trump and other international leaders was not a request for foreign governments to determine who should become Nigeria’s next president.
He maintained that the decision belonged exclusively to Nigerian voters, while international partners should support conditions that allow citizens to make their choices freely and without coercion.
“I am not asking the United States or any foreign government to determine who should govern Nigeria. That decision belongs exclusively to the Nigerian people.
“I am asking the international community to help ensure that Nigerians retain the freedom to make that decision without fear, coercion, or unlawful interference,” he said.
He warned that electoral injustice, or even a widespread perception that political competition was being restricted, could deepen public distrust, heighten political tensions and threaten national stability.
Frank also argued that a serious political crisis in Nigeria could have consequences beyond the country, given its population, regional influence and strategic importance in West Africa.
He therefore called on the Federal Government to provide credible assurances regarding the safety of Atiku and other opposition leaders, while urging foreign governments and international organisations to intensify diplomatic engagement as the 2027 election approaches.
“The protection of Atiku Abubakar’s life and liberty, the safety of all opposition leaders, and the integrity of Nigeria’s 2027 elections must be treated as urgent democratic priorities,” he said.
He added: “The world must not wait for a tragedy before it acts.”
Focus shifts to political rights and electoral credibility
Frank’s appeal adds to the debate over political competition, the independence of law enforcement agencies and the protection of opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election.
His concerns centre on whether all political actors will be able to campaign, criticise the government and participate in the electoral process without unlawful restrictions.
The issues also raise questions about the balance between legitimate law enforcement and the need to prevent state institutions from being used for partisan purposes. Any investigation involving a political figure must be assessed on its evidence and legal basis, rather than assumed to be either legitimate or politically motivated solely because of the individual’s political position.
Similarly, allegations of threats against opposition leaders require credible evidence and appropriate investigation, while public officials and political parties have a responsibility to avoid statements that could unnecessarily heighten tensions.
As preparations for the 2027 elections continue, the credibility of the process will depend on the conduct of political parties, the impartiality of relevant institutions, the protection of voters’ rights and the ability of Nigerians to choose their leaders through a free and fair ballot.
Frank is asking international partners to engage early to help safeguard those conditions. Whether the appeal prompts any formal diplomatic action remains to be established.
