Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Suffers as Tinubu Fails to Appoint Ambassadors — ADC
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has warned that President Bola Tinubu’s continued refusal to appoint ambassadors nearly two years into office is having “disastrous consequences” on Nigeria’s foreign relations.
In a statement issued Sunday, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC’s interim national publicity secretary, criticised the Tinubu administration for recalling 109 ambassadors in September 2023 without appointing replacements.
“Since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recalled Nigeria’s 109 ambassadors from across the world in 2023, none has been replaced, leaving our country no voice or representation when decisions are taken that affect our country and our citizens,” the statement reads.
He added that the absence of ambassadors has weakened consular services globally. “Junior diplomats or charge d’affaires cannot take the place of ambassadors as they are limited in their access and recognition,” he said.
According to the ADC, the diplomatic vacuum is worsening key issues like the ongoing consular friction with the United States and the United Arab Emirates.
“A most recent consequence of this vacuum is the escalation of visa and other consular issues between Nigeria and the duo of the United States and UAE,” the statement continued.
The party also criticised Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, over his remarks rejecting Venezuelan deportees from the US, calling his comments reckless.
“While the ADC is inclined to support the government’s position on the matter, we are appalled that the foreign affairs minister could so recklessly express Nigeria’s position on a prime-time TV show,” Abdullahi said.
