Nigerian lawyer Maxwell Opara has stated that foreign governments are unlikely to intervene in Nigeria’s domestic political disputes because they are primarily driven by their own national interests and diplomatic priorities.
Speaking during an interview from 9:13 on Arise Television on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Opara reacted to reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar had engaged a United States lobbying firm to advance his position in the U.S. According to him, expecting foreign governments to influence or resolve Nigeria’s internal political issues is unrealistic.
Opara argued that countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom are careful not to take actions that could jeopardize their bilateral relationships with Nigeria. He maintained that international diplomacy is guided by national interests rather than sympathy for the political concerns of other countries.
Drawing from his experience while handling legal matters involving Nnamdi Kanu, Opara recalled what he described as the position of UK authorities during related proceedings. According to him, they indicated that they would avoid any action capable of affecting their diplomatic ties with Nigeria, emphasizing that preserving their relationship with the country remained a priority.
He said, “These guys are interested in their own. So if you are waiting for them to come and resolve our problem here, you are just wasting your time.”
Opara stressed that Nigeria’s political challenges should be addressed through the country’s own democratic institutions instead of relying on external governments. He noted that every nation is expected to protect its own interests first, making it unlikely that foreign powers would place Nigeria’s internal political concerns above their strategic objectives….See More