Foreign Affairs Ministry Slams ADC Over Ambassadorship Criticism

The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has pushed back against recent accusations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) regarding delays in ambassadorial appointments, describing the party’s comments as “alarmist,” “politically motivated,” and “fundamentally misinformed.”

In a strongly worded statement issued by Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry reassured the public that Nigeria’s diplomatic missions are running effectively. It stressed that career diplomats, including seasoned chargés d’affaires, continue to manage foreign relations in the absence of formally appointed ambassadors.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly refutes the recent statement by the ADC regarding Nigeria’s foreign representation and the pace of ambassadorial appointments under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The Ministry considers the ADC’s remarks to be alarmist, politically motivated, and fundamentally misinformed about the operational realities of international diplomacy,” the statement read.

On the issue of delayed appointments, the Ministry asserted that such decisions are a sovereign responsibility, not political obligations.

“The appointment of ambassadors is a sovereign function—not a matter to be rushed for political convenience or partisan appeasement. President Tinubu, in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, is committed to reforming the foreign service architecture to ensure that future postings are driven by merit, competence, national interest, and strategic alignment—not patronage or expediency,” it stated.

Responding to the ADC’s claim that Nigeria is “voiceless” on the global stage, the Ministry dismissed it as baseless and urged political figures to act with discretion when discussing sensitive diplomatic matters.

“Nigeria is neither voiceless nor inactive in international affairs,” the statement concluded, citing multiple recent high-level engagements by Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar. These included strategic meetings with officials from the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, China, Japan, and Egypt, and participation in international forums like BRICS, the African Union, and ECOWAS.

The ADC had also labelled Nigeria’s foreign missions as “sorry symbols,” a description the Ministry condemned as both false and disrespectful.

While acknowledging long-standing structural and financial challenges within the foreign service—many of which predate the Tinubu administration—the Ministry praised the continued dedication of Nigerian diplomats who operate under often difficult conditions.

The ADC further criticized Nigeria’s public rejection of a reported U.S. plan to deport Venezuelan prisoners to African countries. The party had called Foreign Minister Tuggar’s televised remarks “diplomatically reckless.”

In response, the Ministry defended its position.

“Nigeria’s response was clear, principled, and consistent with its sovereign rights. The notion that the Foreign Minister’s public articulation of Nigeria’s position was a diplomatic faux pas ignores the realities of modern diplomacy, where transparency and responsible communication are increasingly vital,” the statement read.

It added: “The ADC’s comments reflect political opportunism and a lack of understanding of foreign policy processes. Diplomacy must not be used as a tool for partisan attacks. Nigeria’s global reputation is too valuable to be undermined by sensationalism and domestic political point-scoring.”

The ADC had on Sunday condemned the Tinubu administration for failing to appoint ambassadors nearly two years after the recall of all envoys in September 2023. According to Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s interim national publicity secretary, the delay has weakened Nigeria’s foreign engagements.

In a separate statement last week, the ADC also accused the current administration of using political appointments as “consolation prizes” to pacify Northern Nigerians, urging a more inclusive and transparent process guided by fairness and the principles of federal character.