The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised the Federal Government for failing to issue an official position on recent developments in Venezuela, describing Nigeria’s silence as “embarrassing and unworthy of a leading African nation.”
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television Tuesday, ADC National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi said Nigeria has lost its standing as a principled voice in Africa and West Africa under the current administration.
“Let’s put politics aside. As citizens, we feel embarrassed that all these things are happening, and Nigeria has no voice in it. What can objectively be seen today is that under this current administration, Nigeria has lost its stand as a leading voice on the African continent, as a matter of fact, as a leading voice in this West African sub-region,” Abdullahi said.
He described the US-led operation in Venezuela as “a defining moment in international politics, one that has serious implications for the global world order, perhaps since the Second World War.”
Nigeria’s Diplomatic Legacy
Abdullahi recalled Nigeria’s historical role in global diplomacy, citing figures such as Jaja Wachuku and Joseph Garba, who represented Nigeria with courage and clarity on the world stage.
“This is Nigeria that we are talking about. This is the Nigeria of Jaja Wachuku. This is the Nigeria of Joseph Garba. This is the Nigeria where Nigerian leaders stood on the world stage and took clear positions on issues,” he said.
He noted that several West African countries had already expressed positions on the Venezuelan crisis, whether in support or opposition, but Nigeria had remained conspicuously silent.
“It doesn’t matter whether Nigeria sees it differently or agrees with what others are saying. What we have seen is that Nigeria is nowhere to be found. Nigeria has not said anything. If that does not embarrass you as a citizen, it embarrasses us,” Abdullahi added.
Linking Silence to Security Decisions
The ADC spokesman also questioned President Bola Tinubu’s silence, criticising the State House for announcing his foreign trip without clarity.
He linked Nigeria’s muted response to its earlier security decisions, referencing the invitation to US forces to conduct military operations in Nigeria in December 2025.
“By inviting a foreign army to invade your country for whatever reason or to drop bombs, you have already rendered yourself vulnerable. Perhaps this is the reason they are not able to say anything. The only explanation for Nigeria’s embarrassing silence at this time is that our government does not have the self-confidence to say anything. It can sense its own vulnerability and therefore does not have the moral courage,” Abdullahi said.
Operation Absolute Resolve
On January 3, 2026, the United States launched a large-scale military operation in Venezuela, codenamed Operation Absolute Resolve. The raid resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.
The operation involved coordinated airstrikes and ground raids across several Venezuelan states, including Caracas, Miranda, La Guaira, and Aragua. Maduro and Flores were apprehended during a predawn raid at his residence in Fort Tiuna.
Transferred to New York, both were indicted on multiple charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy and drug trafficking.
Maduro pleaded not guilty during a court appearance on January 5, describing himself as a “prisoner of war.”
The operation has drawn widespread condemnation, with the United Nations, China, Russia, Mexico, and Spain criticising the action as a violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty.
Despite reactions from several countries, Nigeria has yet to issue an official diplomatic position statement on the development.
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