The federal government’s recent announcement of ambassadorial postings has drawn criticism from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which characterizes the action as a diplomatic error that could cause Nigeria to be humiliated internationally.
The opposition party claimed in a statement released on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, that the Tinubu administration had broken established diplomatic protocol by making the postings public before obtaining the necessary agrüge, or host countries’ consent, as required by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
According to international law, a nominee must first be approved by the receiving nation through diplomatic procedures before any formal announcement is made, according to Abdullahi.
“The government shows a lack of expertise by announcing appointments and then asking for permission. He remarked, “You can’t announce postings and then claim in the same statement that you’re only asking for agr.”
The procedure is intended to avoid diplomatic humiliation in situations where a nominee may be turned down by the host nation following due diligence, according to the ADC spokeswoman.
The procedure is typically carried out behind closed doors to save the sending nation the humiliation that a rejection may bring. However, Abdullahi continued, “this government does not understand.”
Recalling that similar announcements had previously been made regarding postings to the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, the party again denounced what it called irregularities in the government’s diplomatic appointments.
“We would have expected the government to learn its lessons and correct course after the blunder of similarly announcing postings to the UK, the US, and France last year, including sending an unscreened ambassador to Turkey,” he stated.
ADC also questioned the government’s announcement of only 65 ambassadors for Nigeria’s 109 diplomatic posts abroad, leaving 44 embassies without a designated envoy.
The inadequate nature of the announcement itself is as concerning. The government has only announced 65 ambassadors, despite Nigeria having 109 diplomatic posts worldwide, according to Abdullahi.
What will happen to the forty-four remaining missions? He said, “Are those positions going to stay unfilled indefinitely while Nigeria’s diplomatic presence continues to decline at a time of growing international uncertainty?”
The party also questioned the announcement’s timing, pointing out that it was made more than three months after the nominations were confirmed by the Senate.
“Why did it take the government more than three months after nominating these ambassadors before now requesting consent is the question to ask.” Abdullahi remarked.
He cautioned that Nigeria’s representation abroad would be weakened if diplomatic postings are not handled correctly.
There are 449 days left in the Tinubu administration. Additionally, this administration may be the first in Nigeria to be so incompetent that it is unable to even nominate ambassadors at a time when Nigeria needs to participate in the highest levels of global governance, as we have constantly warned,” he stated.
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