ADC Frowns At Tinubu’s Refusal To Appoint Ambassadors

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has stated that the refusal of President Bola Tinubu to select ambassadors has “disastrous consequences” on the foreign relations of the country.

In a statement on Sunday, Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC interim national publicity secretary, stated that the administration of President Tinubu has not shown any urgency to select ambassadors after two years in office.

In September 2023, Tinubu recalled all career and non-career ambassadors who are serving in different countries, and since then, the president has yet to select new ambassadors.

Reacting, the interim ADC spokesperson stated that junior diplomats or chargés d’affaires cannot continue to do the jobs of ambassadors, and 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 consequence 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 d’affaires cannot take the place of ambassadors as they are limited in their 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 of charge d’affaires as a form of protest at a time that Nigeria needs to put her best foot forward in pursuit of economic diplomacy.”

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