The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Nigerian government for its continued silence over recent developments in Venezuela.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, described Nigeria’s lack of response as embarrassing, especially as other African countries have taken clear positions on the issue.
Abdullahi said Nigeria has lost its status as a leading voice in the West African sub-region and across the African continent.
According to reports on Saturday, United States President Donald Trump announced the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife.
Reacting to the development, Abdullahi questioned Nigeria’s silence, asking why President Bola Tinubu had not made any statement on an issue of such global significance.
“This is Nigeria we are talking about — a country whose leaders once stood on the world stage and took clear positions on international issues,” he said.
He described the events in Venezuela as one of the most defining moments in international politics, with far-reaching implications for the global order.
According to him, several West African countries have openly expressed their positions, with most condemning what transpired in Venezuela.
“Nigeria could choose to support it, oppose it, or even take a neutral stance. What is unacceptable is saying nothing at all,” Abdullahi added.
He maintained that Nigeria’s silence is an embarrassment and unbefitting of a country that ought to be a leader on the African continent.
“The current posture of Nigeria on the international stage is an anomaly and a national embarrassment,” he said.