Former presidential spokesman, Bashir Ahmad, has stated that Nigeria does not require the intervention of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who recently announced efforts to protect Christian communities in Nigeria and other African nations.
Netanyahu had taken to his X account and in public remarks to evangelical leaders, asserting that Israel would support the United States in safeguarding Christians across the globe, including in Nigeria. He described the struggle as part of a broader battle for Judeo-Christian civilization, citing threats from radical Shiite and Sunni groups in the Middle East, Europe, the U.S., and Africa.
Reacting to this, Bashir Ahmad emphasized Nigeria’s sovereignty and the inappropriateness of unsolicited foreign involvement. He said,
“So, should we applaud this simply to avoid being labeled terrorist sympathizers? Whatever names we may be called, we will still speak up when our country is being disrespected.”
He continued,
“If this is not disrespect, how else do we describe a person wanted by the ICC for genocidal atrocities in Palestine inserting himself uninvited into our internal affairs and to what end? To compound the insult, he did not even deem it necessary to engage Nigeria through our own President, but instead mentioned Trump, as though Nigeria were the 51st state of the United States.”
Ahmad concluded,
“Indeed, Nigeria needs all legitimate support it can get to address its internal security challenges, but certainly not from individuals facing ongoing genocide trials before an international court. Our sovereignty, dignity and moral standing must never be compromised in the name of expediency.”
The statement has sparked mixed reactions online, with some Nigerians welcoming international attention while others insist that the country’s security challenges must be handled internally.
The debate continues as discussions around sovereignty, foreign intervention, and religious persecution remain at the forefront.
