African Democratic Congress, ADC, has berated President Bola Tinubu for leaving Nigeria without ambassadors more than two years after recalling the country’s envoys, describing the delay as “embarrassing” and harmful to the nation’s standing.
In a statement issued by the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC warned that the continued absence of ambassadors was “damaging the country’s global image and weakening its international relations.”
“Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recalled all 109 ambassadors in 2023, none has been replaced. This has left Nigeria without proper representation at global forums where key decisions that affect our country and citizens are made,” the statement read.
ADC noted that the vacuum had already worsened visa and consular challenges, especially in dealings with the United States and the United Arab Emirates, UAE, insisting that chargé d’affaires lack the access and recognition accorded full ambassadors.
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“This government’s failure to appoint ambassadors has seriously affected the quality of our relationships with countries hosting Nigerian missions. If this continues, other countries may also reduce their level of representation in Nigeria,” Abdullahi added.
The party further accused the administration of lacking urgency and direction, stressing that Nigeria was missing from crucial discussions on economic cooperation, trade, and international partnerships.
“While other nations are busy forming alliances, signing trade deals, and securing investment agreements, Nigeria is missing from the table because we have no high-level diplomats abroad.”
ADC also faulted the government’s handling of a recent diplomatic incident in which the United States reportedly asked Nigeria to accept deported Venezuelans, calling the foreign affairs minister’s live-television response “careless and inappropriate.”
“While we support the government’s stand on this issue, we are shocked that such a sensitive matter was discussed openly on a prime-time TV show. Communications with a powerful ally like the United States should be handled with more care and diplomacy,” the party said.
The ADC, therefore, urged President Tinubu to name ambassadors without delay.
“The President must act now and appoint ambassadors to protect Nigeria’s interests and reputation abroad,” the party warned.
