President Bola Tinubu has called for an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza.
Tinubu, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, warned that empty condemnations are not enough to end the conflict in Palestine, which, he said, has persisted for far too long.
The Nigerian leader made this argument at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, convened to address the current situation in the Middle-East. The one-day summit was a follow-up to the Riyadh summit of 2023 and was attended by Heads of State and Government from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, (OIC), and the League of Arab States.
President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed Tinubus statement in an issued statement, titled: At Saudi Summit, President Tinubu demands an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, calls for realisation of the two-state solution.
Recall that the on-going Israeli military operations in Gaza began in October 2023 after Hamas attack, which left scores of Israelis dead. Since the escalation began, over 43,000 Palestinians have been killed, with approximately 70 per cent of the casualties being women and children, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office.
The conflict has resulted in widespread destruction of infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, exacerbating the dire living conditions for Gazas residents. International organisations have repeatedly called for immediate ceasefires and increased humanitarian aid to address the escalating crisis.
In response to the prolonged conflict, there has been a renewed international push for a two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace. European, Arab and Muslim nations have launched initiatives to garner support for Palestinian statehood, aiming to build institutions and promote the two-state framework.
Reiterating Nigerias call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, President Tinubu affirmed the countrys support for a two-state solution, where both Israelis and Palestinians can co-exist in security and dignity. He noted that this solution remained a viable part of lasting peace in the region.
The President urged parties in the Middle-East conflict to respect the principles of proportionality and the basic rights of civilians, consistent with global legal and diplomatic frameworks.
Tinubu described the conflicts impact on history as so visceral that the ripples of division spread far and quickly.
The Nigerian leader commended King Salman, of Saudi Arabia, and Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman for convening the summit, describing it as a vital opportunity to renew diplomatic efforts and work toward sustainable peace.
He assured the OIC that Nigeria, given its own experiences, would continue to support international efforts that advance peace and stability in the Middle-East.
Tinubu also called for the establishment of a secretariat to implement the resolutions of the summit. He urged the leaders to mandate select Heads of Government to canvass support globally and oversee the implementation of the summit resolutions, providing regular reports to a joint OIC and Arab League leadership until permanent peace is achieved in the Middle-East.
In his opening remarks, Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin-Salman condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon, including the targeting of civilians and the continued violation of the Al-Aqsa mosque.
