The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has launched a scathing attack on President Bola Tinubu's administration following the United States government's decision to downgrade Nigeria to a Level 3 travel advisory status, urging Americans to "Reconsider Travel" to the country.
In a strongly-worded statement issued by ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party described the advisory as a "national humiliation" that reflects poorly on Nigeria's international standing and the government's ability to ensure security within its borders.
The US travel advisory specifically cited deteriorating security conditions and a collapsing healthcare system as reasons for the downgrade, advising potential visitors to consider evacuation insurance before traveling to Nigeria.
"What kind of country are we becoming? One where a visitor must plan for emergency airlift before stepping off the plane?" the ADC questioned in its statement, highlighting the severity of the international perception of Nigeria's current situation.
Beyond the travel advisory, the opposition party took aim at what it termed "diplomatic vacuums" created by the absence of Nigerian ambassadors in key global capitals, particularly Washington D.C., where the advisory originated.
"Diplomacy is not a side hustle," the ADC declared, criticizing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for allegedly trivializing crucial diplomatic appointments under the pretext of ongoing reforms.
The party noted that while five G7 countries have undergone leadership changes since October 2023, Nigeria has lacked high-level diplomatic representation to engage with these new administrations and protect national interests.
"This is what happens when a government treats diplomacy as a side hustle. We are absent where we must be present. We are silent where we should be persuasive. We seem to be leaderless at home and invisible abroad," the statement further read.
The ADC accused the Tinubu administration of hiding behind "reforms" as an excuse for governance failures, arguing that serious governments do not use reform processes as reasons to neglect fundamental responsibilities.
The party has called on President Tinubu to urgently address these diplomatic gaps and demonstrate stronger commitment to governance by prioritizing Nigeria's international representation and addressing the security concerns that prompted the advisory.
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