African Democratic Congress (ADC) has faulted the Federal Government over its silence on the crisis in Venezuela, describing the development as a sign of lost confidence and declining international standing.
The party said the arrest and impending trial of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States should serve as a lesson for Nigeria and other countries with questionable democratic processes.
In a statement issued on Monday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC said the development underscored growing global intolerance for illegitimate governments and compromised elections.
On Saturday, a United States military operation authorised by President Donald Trump led to the arrest of Maduro. He and his wife were subsequently airlifted to New York to face charges related to drug trafficking and arms offences.
Reacting to the incident, the ADC criticized the Nigerian government for failing to issue a response, noting that several countries and global leaders had already reacted to the development.
The party described the silence as a national embarrassment, alleging that it stemmed from President Bola Tinubu’s personal fear that he could one day face a similar fate.
“The African Democratic Congress considers Saturday’s action by the United States Government to arrest the President of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife as a clear warning that sends a strong message to the Nigerian government and any other government that lacks legitimacy,” the statement said.
While affirming its support for the principled States’ national sovereignty and non-interference as provided under Articles 2(1) and 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, the ADC argued that such principles should not be used to shield tyranny, electoral fraud, or the denial of citizens’ democratic rights.
The party noted that the 2024 Venezuelan presidential election was widely condemned by governments across Latin America, the European Union, and international democratic institutions, citing allegations of fraud, repression, and exclusion of opposition candidates.
According to the ADC, the fallout from the disputed election resulted in mass migration that destabilised the region.
“While the United States intervention raises serious and legitimate questions under international law, one reality cannot be ignored. The wave of public support that followed in Venezuela exposes the deep crisis of legitimacy of the Maduro government,” the statement said.
The ADC further stated that the visible celebrations by Venezuelans following Maduro’s arrest revealed widespread rejection of his administration.
The party expressed concern that more than 48 hours after the incident, Nigeria had yet to issue an official response.
“This silence by the APC-led Bola Tinubu administration is a further indication that Nigeria, under President Tinubu, has lost both voice and standing on the international stage,” it said.
The ADC argued that the government’s silence reflected a moral crisis and eroded its legitimacy to take principled positions on global issues.
“At a moment when the world is grappling with the balance between sovereignty, democracy, and accountability, Nigeria — Africa’s most populous nation and largest democracy — is conspicuously absent,” the party said.
It insisted that the silence had nothing to do with neutrality but instead showed a lack of confidence rooted in the absence of integrity.
The ADC concluded by describing the situation in Venezuela as a warning to dictators and election riggers worldwide.
“Sovereignty must reflect the will of the people, not merely the survival of a regime. In Nigeria, in Venezuela, and across the world, democracy must translate to freedom, fairness, and a better life for citizens,” the statement added.
