The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has criticised President Bola Tinubu’s administration over the absence of Nigerian representatives at the ongoing 9th Tokyo International Conference on Africa Development (TICAD9) in Japan.

 

The party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the incident exposed the government’s incompetence and highlighted the consequences of failing to appoint ambassadors nearly two years after assuming office.

 

His reaction followed a viral post by an X user, @Idrisayobello, who expressed disappointment after discovering that Nigeria was the only country with an unmanned booth at TICAD9.

 

“I hate to show negative things about Nigeria but it is sad that Nigeria is the only unmanned booth at TICAD9 in Japan. Upon all the folks who probably got estacode for coming to Japan. Only God knows how many Japanese folks have asked me about the booth seeing my dressing. So ashamed I have now designated myself as Honorary Consul and taken over the booth to engage visitors,” the user lamented.

 

In response, Abdullahi accused the Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government of wastefulness and lack of coordination despite the size of the president’s delegation.

 

Posting on X, he wrote: “The APC Government’s incompetence has followed the President to Japan. The President travelled with a large entourage, yet there was no one at the Nigerian booth. After this jamboree, who will follow up to ensure that Nigeria actually benefits from #TICAD9?”

 

He further ridiculed the government’s handling of diplomatic appointments, saying: “When we asked them to appoint ambassadors, they went ahead and appointed KWAM 1. Nigerians, this is what ‘anyhowness’ looks like.”

 

The incident has sparked widespread criticism from citizens who argue that Nigeria’s absence at such an important global event undermines the country’s image and economic interests.