The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has issued a strong critique of the Bola Tinubu-led federal government, stating that its silence on the dramatic arrest of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro by the United States is a damning indictment of Nigeria's diminished voice in global affairs.
ADC Condemns Government's Silence on Venezuela
In a statement released on Monday, January 5, 2026, the opposition party framed the US military operation, which resulted in the capture of President Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, in Caracas on Saturday, January 3, as a clear warning to governments perceived to lack legitimacy, including Nigeria's.
The ADC's spokesperson, Bolaji Abdullahi, conveyed the party's position via his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, @BolajiADC. He expressed dismay that the Nigerian government had failed to react more than 48 hours after the unprecedented event.
"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," Abdullahi stated.
Legitimacy Crisis and Public Reaction
The ADC pointed to the widespread street celebrations reported in Venezuela following Maduro's arrest as evidence of a deep-seated crisis of legitimacy surrounding his administration. While acknowledging that the US intervention raises serious questions under international law, the party emphasized the revealed public sentiment.
"The wave of public support that followed in Venezuela exposes the deep crisis of legitimacy of the Maduro government," the statement read.
Abdullahi went further to allege that the federal government's silence was not a strategic posture of neutrality but stemmed from a lack of confidence rooted in an absence of integrity. This, the ADC argues, prevents Nigeria from taking a principled stand on the world stage.
Context of US Action and Global Reactions
The arrest of Nicolás Maduro marks a significant escalation in US foreign policy under the Donald Trump administration, which has reportedly ramped up military interventions. Venezuela is noted as the latest country targeted by such US strikes.
Following the operation, a video surfaced showing Maduro in the custody of US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) officers inside the agency's headquarters in New York. The White House's rapid response team, Rapid Response 47, shared footage of this 'perp walk' on social media platform X.
The bold move has triggered strong reactions across the globe, with many nations and international bodies weighing in on the legality and implications of a foreign power directly apprehending a sitting head of state.
The ADC's intervention places Nigeria's domestic political discourse directly within this heated international context, challenging the Tinubu administration to define its foreign policy stance and reclaim what the party sees as the country's eroded diplomatic stature.
