The federal government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has accused the African Democratic Congress (ADC) of raising false political alarms regarding the delays by President Bola Tinubu in appointing ambassadors for the country.
A statement released by the Special Assistant on Media and Communications Strategy to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, Alkasim Abdulkadir, noted that the government would not be pressurized by misinformed political actors into making knee-jerk reactions on ambassadorial appointments.
Naijaonpoint reports that the statement comes as a direct reaction to the earlier statement by the ADC called out the administration of President Bola Tinubu over its failure to appoint ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions.
The ADC, in a statement issued on Sunday by the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the development is “embarrassing.”
However, the Foreign Affairs Ministry says, contrary to the ADC claims, Nigeria’s diplomatic missions remain fully operational and effectively represented by seasoned foreign service officers, including experienced chargés d’affaires.
It added that the ADC is misinformed about Nigeria’s international diplomacy, noting that the appointment of ambassadors will not be rushed for political expediency.
“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.
The Ministry added that ambassadorial appointments are a sovereign prerogative, and President Tinubu, in line with his Renewed Hope Agenda, is working to ensure future postings are driven by merit, competence, national interest, and strategic alignment.
It noted that recent diplomatic activities led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, as well as participation in forums such as BRICS, the African Union, and ECOWAS, are evidence of Nigeria’s active global presence.
“Recent high-level engagements by the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs demonstrate Nigeria’s robust external relations.
“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.
“Nigeria is neither voiceless nor inactive in international affairs,” the statement added.
Venezuelan Deportees
The Ministry also rejected criticism regarding Nigeria’s response to the reported U.S. proposal to deport Venezuelan prisoners to the country and other African countries.
Naijaonpoint recalls that the ADC had labelled the response of Tuggar via a TV interview as diplomatically reckless, but the Foreign Affairs Ministry maintained that such communication must be transparent and is a hallmark of modern diplomacy.
It cautioned the ADC to desist from sensationalising diplomatic issues for political clout.
“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 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 Ministry stated.