The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has described recent actions taken by the United States against Venezuelan President, Nicolás Maduro, as a clear signal to governments whose authority lacks democratic legitimacy.
In a statement released on Monday in Abuja, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC upholds the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference as provided for under Articles 2(1) and 2(4) of the United Nations Charter. However, he warned that such principles should not be misused to shield authoritarian rule, electoral malpractice, or the suppression of citizens’ rights.
Abdullahi noted that the 2024 presidential election in Venezuela was widely criticised by several Latin American countries, the European Union, and other democratic bodies, describing the process as fundamentally flawed and lacking credibility.
According to him, the election was characterised by allegations of manipulation, repression, and exclusion, with opposition figures reportedly barred from participating, peaceful demonstrations forcefully suppressed, and state institutions deployed against the very citizens they were meant to protect.
He added that these actions had contributed to widespread displacement, resulting in mass migration that threatens regional stability.
While acknowledging that the United States’ intervention raises important legal and diplomatic questions under international law, Abdullahi said the strong public reaction within Venezuela following the developments could not be ignored.
“The spontaneous outpouring of public support on the streets reflects a profound crisis of legitimacy for the Maduro administration. When citizens openly celebrate such a moment, it underscores the failure of a regime that has lost the consent of the governed,” he said.
The ADC spokesperson also expressed concern that more than two days after the situation unfolded, the Nigerian government had yet to issue an official response.
He reiterated that the party believes true sovereignty must be rooted in the will of the people, rather than the mere endurance of political regimes.
“In Nigeria, Venezuela, and elsewhere, democracy must go beyond elections and ballot boxes. It must guarantee freedom, justice, and improved living conditions for citizens,” Abdullahi stated.
He concluded that the Venezuelan situation should serve as a warning to authoritarian and dictatorial governments around the world.
