Our Reporter, Abuja
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticized the Tinubu-led federal government following the latest travel advisory issued by the United States, which now categorizes Nigeria as a Level 3 “Reconsider Travel” destination.
In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, the party expressed alarm—but noted it was “sadly, not surprised”—by the development, calling it a direct indictment of the administration’s failure in governance.
According to the U.S. State Department advisory, Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure has collapsed, with many medical facilities described as “not equipped to U.S. standards,” and numerous medications reportedly unavailable. It also advised visitors to arrange evacuation insurance before arrival, citing the government’s inability to provide basic emergency services.
The ADC condemned what it called the growing deterioration in public services, asking, “What kind of country are we becoming? One where a visitor must plan for emergency airlift before stepping off the plane?”
The party also highlighted Nigeria’s diplomatic vacuum, noting that the country currently lacks an accredited ambassador in Washington D.C.—the very capital from which the travel advisory was issued.
“This dangerous diplomatic vacuum,” the statement said, “was something we raised alarm over just days ago. Instead of action, we were met with smug indifference and bureaucratic deflection from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”
The ADC questioned the ministry’s contradictory explanations, pointing to its earlier claim that ambassadorial nominations had been submitted to the president, even as it now cites ongoing reforms as the reason for the delay.
“The excuse of reform rings hollow coming from a government whose appointment history reveals anything but merit,” the party added.
The ADC also lamented that since ambassadors were recalled in October 2023, five of the G7 nations have seen leadership changes, yet Nigeria has had no senior diplomats in place to engage with these new administrations.
“This is not just a missed opportunity—it is an outright diplomatic failure,” the party declared.
The ADC called on the Tinubu administration to “stop hiding behind excuses” and demonstrate real leadership.
“Serious governments don’t use reforms as excuses to stop governing,” it said.
The statement concluded with a warning: “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 party urged President Tinubu to act swiftly to restore Nigeria’s credibility both at home and on the international stage.
