* It’s aiding criminality, abetting belligerence and applauding genocide: Prof Akintola
* Translate your words into action, Disu tells Tinubu after Arab Summit speech
Two leading human right and public service organisations in Nigeria, Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) and Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) have called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to stop crude oil supply to Israel until the Zionist regime halts its genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.
The two groups said despite President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s brilliant presentation condemning Israeli aggression in Gaza at the Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Nigeria is complicit in the crime against humanity being committed by Israel as long as it continues to supply crude oil to the Zionist state.
It’s aiding criminality, abetting belligerence and applauding genocide: Prof Akintola
In a statement made available to Muslim News on Tuesday, 12th November, 2024, the Founder and Executive Director of MURIC, Prof Lakin Akintola described the continued supply of crude oil to Israel while thousands of innocent women and children are being killed in Gaza as aiding criminality, abetting belligerence and applauding genocide.
He said: “In spite of the raging genocide in Gaza, the Federal Government of Nigeria continues to supply crude oil to Israel thereby strengthening the Zionist enclave’s resolve to butcher thousands of innocent Palestinians most of whom are vulnerable women and children in its senseless genocide in the region.
“Nigeria’s attitude in this regard can best be described as aiding criminality, abetting belligerence and applauding genocide. It is insensitive, selfish and unacceptable. The continued supply of crude oil to Israel while thousands of innocent women and children are being slaughtered in Gaza dips the hands of Nigeria in the blood of innocent Palestinians.
“Nine per cent of the crude oil supplied to Israel between October 21, 2023, and July 12, 2024 came from Nigeria. This accounts for more than 133 kilotons of Nigerian crude delivered to the Zionist state via TotalEnergies, Shell, Chevron, Eni and Exxon.
“As a recalcitrant and belligerent nation, Israel can only be whipped into line by the rest of the world through sanctions by countries who take serious objection to racism and Nigeria happens to be one of such countries.
“This can only be done by withholding our crude oil at this crucial period. Israel relies heavily on crude oil and refined petroleum imports to operate its large fleet of fighter jets, tanks, and other military vehicles and operations.
“It should be noted that Nigerian oil is used each time an Israeli jet flies into Northern or Southern Gaza to drop its deadly bombs on innocent civilians, pregnant women and kids.
*“South Africa, Bahrain, Chad, Chile, Columbia, Honduras, Jordan and Turkey have all withdrawn their ambassadors from Israel. Belize, Bolivia in Latin America have suspended relations with the Zionist state.
President Gustavo Petro of Colombia went a step further by suspending energy exports to Israel until the genocide in Gaza stops (https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Colombia-Bans-Coal-Exports-to-Israel.html). Also, South Africa single-handedly took Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICJ) on 29th December, 2023.
“But what has been Nigeria’s contribution to the struggle to stop the bloodshed? Nigeria has only come up with mere condemnations of the actions of Israel. It is our considered opinion that condemnations remain mere rhetorics if the other party remains adamant and continues to do exactly the same thing it was doing before.
“It is therefore time for Nigeria to do more than mere condemnation. It is time for Nigeria to show by action that it is not going to be party to the killing of vulnerable women and children.
“At the last count, 43,508 Palestinians had been killed. 180 journalists, 261 teachers, 8 professors, 120 junior university lecturers, 5,479 students, 3 union presidents, 224 humanitarian workers including 179 staff of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) have fallen victims of Israeli blood-thirsty war machine.
“The time to act is now. Israel has gone haywire. It has defied the 193 member states of the United Nations (UN). It rejected resolution ES10/22 of 27th October, 2023 which called for immediate ceasefire as well as a plethora of resolutions of the UN earlier declared.
“We therefore demand that Nigeria joins Colombia by stopping the supply of its crude oil to Israel with immediate effect until the Zionist enclave stops its criminal and inhuman acts of genocide against the Palestinian people. Nigeria is complicit in the crime against humanity being committed by Israel as long as it continues to supply crude oil to the Zionist state.”
MURIC, therefore, called on members of the National Assembly (NASS) not to play the ostrich in the ongoing massacre of vulnerable women and children in Palestine.
Translate your words into action, Disu tells Tinubu after Arab Summit speech
In his submission, the Executive Chairman of MPAC, Mal Disu Kamor applauded President Tinubu’s commitment to justice
However, he called on Nigeria to match this commitment with specific policy actions.
He said as an oil-producing nation, Nigeria’s continued supply of oil to Israel is inconsistent with its stated position on Palestinian independence and the end of aggression.
According to him, “Now is the time to translate our words into action.”
MPAC urges Nigeria to immediately halt oil exports to Israel and realign its economic activities to reflect the principles articulated at the Riyadh summit.
Furthermore, MPAC recalled the recent statements made by Nigeria’s Vice-President at the 79th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), where he reinforced Nigeria’s longstanding support for Palestinian sovereignty.
“These statements are a testament to Nigeria’s consistent stance, and they provide a solid foundation upon which our government can act decisively to advance Palestinian independence,” he said.
MPAC’s Position
For over 75 years, the Palestinian people have endured a relentless struggle, seeking the same rights to self-determination, freedom, and security that every nation deserves. As representatives of the Muslim community in Nigeria, MPAC asserts that it is not enough to offer words of solidarity alone; real solidarity must be demonstrated through concrete policies and actions that impact the lives of those oppressed. As we acknowledge the President’s efforts, we urge the Nigerian Government to take a bold and immediate step in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
End Oil Exports to Israel: Nigeria’s continued trade of oil with Israel undermines our stance on Palestinian independence. MPAC calls on the Nigerian government to suspend these exports as a meaningful step toward pressuring Israel to respect international calls for peace.
Strengthen Diplomatic Efforts: MPAC supports the President’s call for a dedicated secretariat to oversee the implementation of summit resolutions. We urge that this body also includes monitoring mechanisms to ensure accountability in the face of ongoing violations against Palestinian rights.
Champion a Unified African Call: MPAC urges Nigeria, with its rich history of leadership in African and international diplomacy, to rally regional support for the Palestinian cause. Working closely with the African Union and other OIC members, Nigeria has the unique opportunity to be a catalyst for substantial progress toward Palestinian self-determination.
President Tinubu’s statements, alongside the efforts made at UNGA by Nigeria’s Vice-President, reflect a unified and principled Nigerian stance. It is time for Nigeria to harness its position as a global oil producer and a regional leader to champion the rights of Palestinians in a tangible way.
MPAC commends the Saudi leadership, particularly King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, for organizing this summit, which provides an invaluable platform to renew international focus on the suffering of Palestinians and the vision of peace. However, it is clear that this vision of peace demands a consistent commitment to action. As President Tinubu rightly emphasized, “This is not just a diplomatic article of faith; it is a vision grounded in the principles of equality and mutual recognition.”
Conclusion
MPAC reaffirms its unwavering commitment to the cause of justice for Palestinians. We call on the Nigerian government, including the legislative branch, to take immediate action, halt oil exports to Israel, and champion a realignment of Nigeria’s policies that genuinely reflect the values of justice, peace, and human dignity. The time for symbolic support has passed; now is the time for action “
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