The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has recently criticized the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs for putting forth “alarmist,” “politically motivated,” and “misinformed” remarks.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alkasim Abdulkadir, the minister’s Special Assistant for Media and Communications Strategy, stated in a statement that the ministry’s diplomatic missions are still run smoothly and are well-represented by experienced chargés d’affaires and seasoned foreign service officers.
The ADC’s recent statement regarding Nigeria’s foreign representation and the appointment schedule for ambassadors under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s control is strongly refuted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry’s statement read, “The ADC’s remarks are alarmist, politically motivated, and fundamentally misinformed about international diplomacy’s operational realities,” the statement read.
The Ministry weighed in on the issue of ambassadorial appointments, arguing that making such decisions was a sovereign prerogative and not a matter of political expediency.
Ambassadors’ appointments are sovereign affairs, not ones to be rushed for political gain or political gain. According to President Tinubu, in keeping with his Renewed Hope Agenda, the foreign service architecture should be changed to ensure that future postings are based on merit, competence, national interest, and strategic alignment, not favoritism or expediency, “it said.
The statement called on political actors to exercise restraint and responsibility in matters relating to foreign policy and stated that Nigeria is neither voiceless nor inactive in international affairs.
The statement cited recent diplomatic initiatives by Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the country’s minister of foreign affairs, as proof of its active global presence.
The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs’ recent high-level engagements demonstrate Nigeria’s strong international relations, according to the statement, which included strategic meetings with US, UK, UK, China, Japan, Egypt, as well as BRICS, African Union, and ECOWAS.
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The Ministry called the claim “false” and insulting “to the dedication of Nigerian diplomats,” in response to the ADC’s claim that Nigeria’s missions have turned into “sorry symbols.”
The Ministry stated that Nigerian diplomats continue to serve with distinction and frequently in challenging circumstances despite acknowledging long-standing structural and funding issues that predate the current administration.
The Ministry also refrained from criticizing Nigeria’s response to the alleged U.S. proposal to deport Venezuelan prisoners to African nations.
On Channels Television’s Politics Today, Minister Tuggar previously stated that Nigeria would not accept Venezuelan deportees. The ADC, however, had mistaken this statement for being tactful diplomatically.
The Ministry argued in defense that Nigeria’s response was steadfast, principled, and in line with its sovereign rights. The idea that the Foreign Minister’s public statement about Nigeria’s position was a diplomatic faux pas ignores the realities of contemporary diplomacy, where accountability and transparency are increasingly important, is misplaced.
The ADC’s statements are a reflection of “political opportunism and a lack of understanding of foreign policy processes.” Diplomacy is not to be used to launch political attacks. The Ministry claimed that sensationalism and domestic political point-scoring would damage Nigeria’s reputation internationally.
The Tinubu administration’s failure to appoint ambassadors nearly two years after recalling all Nigerian envoys in September 2023 had been condemned by the ADC on Sunday.
The delay has weakened Nigeria’s international relations, according to Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s interim national publicity secretary. The ADC also criticized Minister Tuggar’s remarks regarding Venezuelan deportees, arguing that they should have been handled with more discretion.
Read more about Tinubu’s non-appointment of ambassadors for ten months in “Unacceptable,” Ex-Envoys.
Source: Channels TV
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