Muslim group faults FG for omitting Palestine from UNGA statement

The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) in Nigeria has expressed disappointment with the federal government for not including Palestine in its statement at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). The group argues that Nigeria previously condemned violence against civilians in Gaza and supported a two-state solution at UNGA 80, but has now omitted any mention of Palestine, its people or a two-state solution from its 2026 statement.

MPAC's executive chairman, Disu Kamor, highlighted that the 24-paragraph statement made no reference to Palestine, marking a departure from previous statements. This shift is attributed to the closer security and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Israel since the beginning of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration in 2023.

The MPAC noted that Nigeria signed a Security Cooperation Agreement with Israel in August 2025 and engaged in intelligence sharing, surveillance technology, and counter-terrorism training. The organization questions whether Nigeria's omission of Palestine is connected to its deepening relationship with Israel. MPAC urged the federal government to support South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and to condition its security cooperation with Israel on accountability.

The group emphasized that the suffering in Gaza has not disappeared and called for Nigeria to publicly support Palestinians and take a stronger stance on the conflict.