By RismadarVoice Reporters
January 5, 2026
African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described the recent political crisis in Venezuela as a cautionary lesson for Nigeria, faulting the Federal Government for its silence, following the arrest and trial of Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro by the United States.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the development underscores what he described as growing global resistance to illegitimate governments, compromised electoral processes.
According to the party, Maduro was arrested on Saturday in a United States military operation authorized and overseen by President Donald Trump. Maduro and his wife were subsequently airlifted to New York City to face charges, bordering on drug trafficking and arms-related offences.
Reacting to the development, the ADC described the Nigerian government’s failure to respond – unlike several other countries and global leaders – as “deeply embarrassing,” alleging that the silence stemmed from President Bola Tinubu’s fear that he could one day face similar international scrutiny.
“The African Democratic Congress considers Saturday’s action by the United States Government as a clear warning which sends a strong message to the Nigerian government and any other government that lacks legitimacy,” the statement said.
While affirming its support for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference as enshrined in Articles 2(1) and 2(4) of the United Nations Charter, the party argued that such principles should not be used to shield tyranny, electoral fraud, or the systematic denial of citizens’ rights.
The ADC noted that Venezuela’s 2024 presidential election was widely condemned by governments across Latin America, the European Union, and international democratic institutions, citing allegations of fraud, repression, exclusion of opposition candidates, and the use of state institutions against citizens.
“The net consequence of this has been mass migration at a scale that undermines regional stability,” the party stated.
According to the ADC, although the U.S. intervention raises serious international law concerns, the public reaction within Venezuela marked by celebrations revealed a deeper legitimacy crisis of the Maduro administration.
“When citizens pour into the streets in celebration, it exposes the bankruptcy of the regime that has been upended,” the statement added.
The party further criticized the Nigerian government for failing to issue any official reaction more than 48 hours after the incident, describing the silence as evidence that Nigeria has lost its moral authority and international standing under the current administration.
“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 ADC said.
The opposition party concluded that Venezuela’s situation should serve as a warning to authoritarian leaders, election riggers globally, insisting that democracy must go beyond elections to deliver freedom, fairness, and improved living conditions for citizens.
“The world is watching, and contrived mandates will no longer find a place to hide,” the statement said.
