Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has called on the United States to impose sweeping sanctions on top officials of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, alleging a coordinated effort to subvert Nigeria’s democracy.
In a blistering statement, Frank urged Washington to enforce visa bans, freeze overseas assets and apply economic sanctions against individuals he accused of orchestrating anti-democratic actions within the Federal Government.
He alleged that the current administration is systematically deploying state institutions to weaken opposition parties and clear the path for unchecked political dominance.
“The goal is clear — to ensure that no credible opposition emerges to challenge the President,” Frank said, warning that such a trajectory could push Nigeria toward political instability.
He accused key arms of government, including the judiciary and the legislature, of being compromised and used as tools to suppress dissent, describing the situation as a dangerous shift away from democratic norms.
“This is no longer democracy. It is a creeping authoritarian system disguised in democratic clothing,” he declared.
Frank called on the United States, the United Nations and other global actors to act urgently, warning that delay could have severe consequences.
“The world must not wait for Nigeria to descend into chaos before responding. The stakes are too high,” he said, noting that instability in a nation of over 200 million people could trigger far-reaching regional and global repercussions.
In a fresh allegation, he accused the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso, of involvement in activities capable of undermining democratic processes, calling for immediate scrutiny and possible sanctions if proven.
He also took aim at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), describing its leadership as “biased” and alleging that the electoral body is being positioned to favour certain political interests ahead of future elections.
Frank warned that those he described as “anti-democratic actors” must be held accountable for any breakdown of law and order.
He further claimed he is prepared to supply foreign governments with detailed intelligence on assets owned by Nigerian officials in the United States, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates to support targeted sanctions.
Describing his intervention as a “final warning,” Frank said Nigeria is on a dangerous path that must be urgently reversed.
“If the international community fails to act now, the consequences may be irreversible,” he cautioned.
He added that he would soon submit a list of officials allegedly involved in undermining democratic processes to global authorities for blacklisting.
Frank also called for sweeping visa restrictions against individuals and institutions he accused of eroding democratic values in Nigeria.
Frank Urges U.S. Sanctions Over Alleged Democratic Backsliding
