African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his continued failure to appoint ambassadors to Nigeria’s foreign missions, describing the prolonged diplomatic vacuum as “a national embarrassment” with dire consequences for Nigeria’s foreign relations.

In a statement released yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party lamented that Nigeria had been without officially accredited ambassadors since 2023, when the Tinubu administration recalled 109 ambassadors from missions across the globe, a situation the ADC described as unprecedented and dangerous.

“This is the longest Nigeria has gone without ambassadors in its foreign missions. If this embarrassing absence is allowed to persist, other countries may begin to downgrade their representation in Nigeria. Unfortunately, Nigerians, especially those abroad, will suffer the consequences,” the statement read.

The ADC criticised the administration’s delay, saying it reflected the government’s poor grasp of global diplomacy and its lack of urgency in protecting national interests.

According to the ADC, the diplomatic vacuum has already begun to negatively impact Nigeria’s relations with key countries such as the United States and the United Arab Emirates, particularly on issues relating to visas and consular services.

“Junior diplomats and chargés d’affaires cannot replace ambassadors. They lack the access, recognition, and authority to fully represent Nigeria’s interests abroad.”

The quality of our diplomatic engagement has declined, and the morale among our foreign service professionals is at its lowest.”

The party further warned that Nigeria was increasingly being sidelined in major global negotiations and multilateral forums where high-level representation is essential.

“While other African nations assert themselves in Washington, Beijing, and Moscow, Nigeria remains stuck in neutral, unable even to introduce itself,” the ADC said.

The ADC also pointed to what it described as a recent diplomatic blunder involving the Nigerian government’s response to a request by the United States to receive deported Venezuelan nationals. The party criticised the foreign minister’s public handling of the matter on a primetime television show, calling it “reckless and undiplomatic.”

The ADC concluded by urging President Tinubu to “act without delay” to appoint competent ambassadors and restore dignity to Nigeria’s diplomatic missions.

“President Tinubu must move swiftly to avoid further diplomatic embarrassment. Nigeria cannot afford to be absent on the global stage any longer,” the statement stressed.