Benjamin_Netanyahu,_February_2023 (1) (1).webp
The Digest:

Prominent Nigerian Muslim leaders and public figures have issued a stern rebuke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, forcefully rejecting his offer to join US efforts in fighting terrorism within Nigeria and warning him to stay out of the nation's sovereign affairs.

Key Points:
  • The backlash follows Netanyahu's Christmas Day pledge to open a "new front" to protect Christians in countries including Nigeria, aligning with US President Donald Trump.
  • MUSWEN Executive Secretary, Prof. Wole Abbas, labeled Netanyahu a "criminal" who should be prosecuted for genocide in Gaza, calling his offer "unfortunate."
  • Former presidential aide Bashir Ahmad stated Nigeria does not need help from individuals facing international genocide trials, emphasizing respect for sovereignty.
  • A PDP chieftain in Sokoto, Alhaji Kabiru Aliyu, questioned Netanyahu's motives, noting he is Jewish, not Christian, and should not mistake Nigeria's "silence for weakness."
  • Other critics accused Netanyahu of having a hidden agenda to exploit Nigeria's mineral resources by provoking religious conflict.
  • The unified response frames the offer as a hypocritical and destabilizing intervention that could worsen Nigeria's internal security challenges.
This collective pushback underscores a fierce commitment to national sovereignty and a deep skepticism of foreign motives, framing Netanyahu's proposed intervention as a dangerous storm that Nigeria must navigate on its own terms.

Sources: Nigerian Tribune