Muslim group faults FG for omitting Palestine from UNGA statement

The Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC), Nigeria, has criticised the federal government for failing to mention Palestine in its national statement at the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

The group said Nigeria had spoken extensively about the situation in Gaza during the previous UN General Assembly but omitted any reference to Palestine, the people or a two-state solution in its 2026 statement.

In a statement issued on Friday by its executive chairman, Disu Kamor, the MPAC noted taht Nigeria’s latest national statement covered issues including reform of the UN Security Council, climate finance, artificial intelligence, global debt architecture and counter-terrorism in the Sahel.

It, however, stated that the 24-paragraph statement made no reference to Palestine.

According to the group, Nigeria’s position represented a departure from its statement at UNGA 80 when it condemned violence against civilians in Gaza and reaffirmed its 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 12 ago – not mentioned once,” MPAC stated.

The organisation linked the development to what it described as closer security and diplomatic ties between Nigeria and Israel since the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.

It cited the signing of a Security Cooperation Agreement between Nigeria and Israel in August 2025, as well as reported engagements on intelligence sharing, surveillance technology and counter-terrorism training.

The MPAC also referred to plans for a Nigeria-Israel Joint Commission covering security, health, technology and economic cooperation.

The group questioned whether Nigeria’s omission of Palestine from its latest UN statement was connected to the deepening relationship with Israel.

It called on the federal government to join South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), saying Nigeria should also make security cooperation with Israel conditional on accountability.

The MPAC further urged Nigeria to publicly support Palestinians and take 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, Nigerians deserved to know why.