 |
| Photo credit — Disu Kamor |
The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, has criticised the federal government for not mentioning Palestine in Nigeria’s national statement at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
In a statement issued on Friday by its executive chairman, Disu Kamor, MPAC said Nigeria had addressed the situation in Gaza during the previous UN General Assembly but made no reference to Palestine, the Palestinian people, or a two-state solution in its latest statement.
According to the group, the statement covered topics including reform of the UN Security Council, climate finance, artificial intelligence, global debt architecture, and counter-terrorism in the Sahel. MPAC stated that the 24-paragraph document contained no reference to Palestine.
The organisation contrasted this with Nigeria’s earlier UNGA statement, in which the country condemned violence against civilians in Gaza and reaffirmed support for a two-state solution.
“Gaza not mentioned. The Palestinian people not mentioned. The two-state solution – the very phrase Nigeria used without stuttering and without doubt twelve months ago – not mentioned once,” the MPAC statement said.
MPAC linked the omission to what it described as closer security and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Israel under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which began in May 2023. The group cited a reported Security Cooperation Agreement signed between Nigeria and Israel in August 2025, along with reported discussions on intelligence sharing, surveillance technology, and counter-terrorism training. It also referred to plans for a Nigeria-Israel Joint Commission covering security, health, technology, and economic cooperation.
RELATED
→〉Fuel Subsidy Debate Intensifies as Rising Petrol Prices Strain Nigerian’s Daily Lives
→〉Delta NLC Shuts State Secretariat Over Death of Deputy Director
The organisation questioned whether the absence of any reference to Palestine was connected to these developing relations. It called on the federal government to join South Africa’s case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and to make any security cooperation with Israel conditional on accountability. MPAC also urged Nigeria to publicly express support for Palestinians and adopt a stronger position on the conflict.
“Palestine has not disappeared. Gaza has not disappeared. The suffering has not disappeared,” the group stated. It added that if Nigeria’s position on Palestine had changed, the Nigerian public deserved an explanation.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers news, politics, current affairs, education, and technology.
Post a Comment