The Federal Government has been under heavy fire from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over the most recent U.S. travel alert, which rates Nigeria at Level 3: “Reconsider Travel.”
The party called the recommendation a “national embarrassment” and said it was unmistakable proof of the Tinubu administration’s inability to address the nation’s deteriorating healthcare system and insecurity.
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The ADC accused the government of not fulfilling its obligations both domestically and internationally in a statement signed by Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, its national publicity secretary.
The absence of Nigerian ambassadors in major global cities, such as Washington, D.C., was also cited by the party as a significant diplomatic failure.
“For a country of over 200 million people, this is yet another public indictment of the Tinubu administration’s failure to govern,” the statement said.
The U.S. travel advisory criticised Nigeria’s inadequate healthcare system, pointing out that many necessary medications are unavailable and that most facilities do not meet U.S. standards. It also cited Nigeria’s incapacity to provide basic emergency services.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was also criticised by the ADC for downplaying the pressing need to name ambassadors and using “reforms” as a justification for doing nothing.
The party claims that since October 2023, Nigeria has been without ambassadors in critical diplomatic positions, depriving the nation of a voice on significant international issues.
“Not even during the civil war did Nigeria go this long without ambassadors,” the statement noted.
The ADC also noted that while five G7 nations have had leadership changes in this time frame, Nigeria has not had any senior diplomats to forge connections or safeguard the country’s interests.
The ADC party warned that no serious nation can afford to treat diplomacy like a “side hustle,” accusing President Tinubu’s administration of doing so.
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“We are absent where we should be present. We are silent where we should be speaking. It feels like we have no leadership at home and no presence abroad,” the statement read.
“If this government truly values competence, then it must prove it by doing the work, not just making empty statements,” the party said.
