Frank: Biden’s invite to Tinubu inappropriate, condemnable

A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has described the purported request of the President of the United States of America, Joe Biden, to meet President Bola Tinubu as inappropriate and condemnable.

He said Biden’s request conveyed by a US Presidential envoy and Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Ambassador Molly Phee, defeats the stance of the American government on democracy and the sanctity of the ballot.

Frank, in a statement issued Wednesday, said the meeting billed to take place at the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September was suspicious because Tinubu currently lacks legitimacy as the result of the 2023 presidential election is being contested in court.

“This move by Biden is certainly an anti-American stance on the rule of law and a bad example in collaborations in view of the pendency of suits challenging the declaration of Tinubu as President and multiple investigations ongoing concerning his integrity, true identity and academic records both in Nigeria and USA.

“It’s an insult to say that Tinubu is the only African president that Biden has chosen to meet on the sidelines of UNGA when they know his legitimacy deficit and the fraudulent election that brought him as president.

“For me, even if they want to discuss African affairs, they can discuss with any other legitimate African leader within the continent.

“However, it is clear the only reason they are seeking this meeting is to protect their selfish interests and it is for this type of unbecoming action that the US is now trying former President Donald Trump,” he said.

Frank said it was disheartening to note that at a time when everyone is eagerly waiting on the outcome of the Presidential Election Tribunal, the US seeks to play to the gallery by inviting Tinubu as the sole African leader Biden wishes to meet at UNGA.

He urged Biden to rescind his invitation to Tinubu pending the ruling of the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal on the suits challenging the legitimacy of the President.