ADC: Tinubu’s refusal to appoint ambassadors disastrous for Nigeria’s foreign policy

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says the refusal of President Bola Tinubu to appoint ambassadors has “disastrous consequences” on the Nigeria’s foreign relations.

In a statement on Sunday, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC interim national publicity secretary, said Tinubu’s administration has not shown the urgency to appoint ambassadors after two years in office.

In September 2023, Tinubu directed the recall of all career and non-career ambassadors serving in different countries.

Since then, the president is yet to appoint new ambassadors.

Reacting to the development, the interim ADC spokesperson said junior diplomats or chargés d’affaires cannot continue to perform the duties of ambassadors, adding that “Nigeria’s consular services have become even weaker”.

“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.

“A most recent consequences of this vacuum is the escalation of visa and other consular issues between Nigeria and the duo of the United States and UAE.

“Yet, the government has failed to demonstrate any urgency to remedy this embarrassing situation. Junior diplomats or charge de affair cannot take the place of ambassadors as they are limited in his access and recognition.

“This inexplicable failure of this government to appoint ambassadors has affected the quality of our engagement and relationships with the countries hosting our missions all over the world.

“If the government does not act fast to remedy this situation other countries may also start to downgrade their representation in Nigeria to the level charge de affairs as a form of protest at a time that Nigeria needs to put her best foot forward in pursuit of economic diplomacy.”

ADC FAULTS TUGGAR’S COMMENT ON VENEZUELAN DEPORTEES

Abdullahi said Yusuf Tuggar, minister of foreign affairs, should not have expressed Nigeria’s position pertaining to the reported plan to deport Venezuelan prisoners from the United States.

The ADC interim national publicity secretary said Tuggar’s comment on “such sensitive diplomatic communications” was “recklessly” expressed.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on July 10, Tuggar said Nigeria will not accept Venezuelan deportees from the United States.

The minister was reacting to the reported pressure from the US to send Venezuelan deportees, some from prison, to some African countries.

“It would be difficult for countries like Nigeria to accept Venezuelan prisoners into Nigeria,” Tuggar had said.

Reacting to Tuggar’s comment, Abdullahi said the public reaction to the United States’ reported request is a “major indication of the administration’s diplomatic incompetence which could have been avoided if we had an ambassador in Washington”.

“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 prime-time TV show,” Abdullahi said.

“Such sensitive diplomatic communications with an important and powerful partner like the United States could have been handled with greater discretion.

“But then, this is a government that has favoured showiness over thoughtful policies.”