Electoral reforms: Timi Frank petitions Trump, warns against anarchy ahead of 2027 polls

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and political activist, Comrade Timi Frank, has petitioned United States President Donald Trump, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is under existential threat and could descend into chaos if alleged plans to manipulate the 2027 general elections are not halted.

In a strongly worded open letter dated February 7, 2026, Frank accused the ruling party and the leadership of the National Assembly of plotting to entrench a one-party authoritarian state, describing the alleged scheme as “political genocide” against Nigerians.

He called on Trump and the international community to intervene, warning that failure to act could trigger unrest, violent conflict, and a breakdown of law and order.

“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 accused the Senate leadership of deliberately undermining electoral reforms designed to curb fraud, alleging that a key provision of the Electoral Act 2022—backed by what he claimed was the will of over 80 per cent of Nigerians—was being systematically removed to facilitate rigging.

“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.

He argued that the same provision was ignored during the 2023 general elections, which he described as “deeply flawed,” and is now being dismantled again to consolidate power.

The former APC spokesperson criticised the outcome of the 2023 presidential election, citing 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 stated.

Frank referenced reports by international observers, including the European Union Election Observation Mission, which criticised transparency gaps and operational failures, and the U.S. State Department’s call 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,” he 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 Advisor to the Global Friendship City Association (GFCA), USA, alleged that state institutions are 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.

Frank further accused the Federal Government of spending millions of dollars on lobbying firms in Washington to launder its international image rather than address insecurity and governance failures 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,” he alleged.

He cited testimony by former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, who reportedly expressed distrust of the Nigerian government.

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

Frank urged Trump and U.S. lawmakers to exercise caution in engaging the Nigerian government and avoid legitimising what he described as illegality and oppression.

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

He pleaded 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,” he said.