Nigeria's no-vote on Palestinian statehood 'betrayal': Apex Muslim body

LAGOS

Nigeria's Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has accused the government of betraying the Nigerian people after abstaining from voting in favor of a motion seeking recognition for an independent Palestinian state at the UN Security Council earlier this week.

"By this development, we felt that Nigeria government had betrayed the people of Nigeria and created serious problems for the nation’s foreign policies," NSCIA Secretary-General Ishaq Oloyeda said in a statement.

"It was indeed a slap on the faces of all the freedom fighters," he added.

Nigeria unexpectedly abstained from voting when the Palestinian statehood motion was presented before the 15-member UN Security Council on Tuesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later said he had called Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and Rwanda's Paul Kagame to help frustrate the Palestinian bid.

The motion needed at least nine votes to succeed but only eight nations voted in its favor.

The Nigerian decision to abstain from voting has drawn considerable criticism, largely locally, because the abstention meant foreign policy somersaults for a nation with a history of pro-Palestinian decisions. 

"The policy has betrayed the heroes of Nigeria. Therefore those at the helms of affairs of our foreign affairs should explain the reasons for their action on the Palestinian issues. It was indeed a step against freedom," Oloyeda said.

He said that the Nigerian move had unacceptable religious coloration and should be condemned.

"Our foreign policy had never had anything to do with religion. That is why we want the people of this great country to hold this government responsible for this diplomatic issue involving the Palestinians," the NSCIA chief said.

Many Nigerian analysts and Muslim groups see Nigeria's "no-vote" as a volte face in the country's history.

Nigeria, upholding its oft-stated pro-justice and fairness principles in foreign relations, had repeatedly voted in favor of Palestinians at the UN.

Last year, Abuja backed the admission of Palestine as an observer state at the world body.

"Not only does Nigeria's abstaining from this historic opportunity to promote peace and justice at the UN fail to represent the sentiments of Nigerians, it is reprehensible that our government has forced us to be silent in the face of injustice," Disu Kamor, executive chairman of the Muslim Public Affairs Center, said in a statement on Friday.

www.aa.com.tr/en