Venezuela: Nigeria’s Silence Is Shameful, Unworthy Of Africa’s Leading Nation — ADC
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticized the Nigerian government for remaining silent on the recent US military operation in Venezuela, which saw the capture of President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores.
Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, raised the concern during an interview on Politics Today on Channels Television.
According to Abdullahi, Nigeria has lost its standing as a principled voice in Africa and West Africa.
He said the crisis in Venezuela represents a defining moment with significant global implications, yet Nigeria has remained absent from the conversation.
“Let’s put politics aside. As citizens, we feel embarrassed that Nigeria has no voice in this matter. What can be objectively seen is that Nigeria has lost its role as a leading voice on the African continent,” Abdullahi said, recalling Nigeria’s historical diplomatic leadership.
He cited past Nigerian leaders such as Jaja Wachuku and Joseph Garba, who took clear positions on global issues, and lamented that Nigeria’s current administration has failed to uphold this tradition. Several West African countries have already expressed positions on the crisis, but Nigeria’s silence stands out.
Abdullahi also linked the government’s quiet stance to previous security decisions, including inviting US forces to operate in Nigeria in December 2025. “Our government’s absence on the international stage reflects a lack of moral courage and self-confidence,” he said.
While the United Nations, China, Russia, Mexico, and Spain have condemned the US operation as a violation of international law and Venezuelan sovereignty, Nigeria has yet to release an official statement, drawing criticism from political observers and citizens alike.
