According to the Nigerian Tribune, President Bola Tinubu has urged an immediate halt to Israel’s actions in Gaza and highlighted the necessity for a long-term resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Speaking in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Monday during an extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit convened to address the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, President Tinubu emphasized that “the conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering.”
His comments came amid escalating violence in Gaza, resulting in numerous civilian casualties and widespread humanitarian distress.
The summit, a follow-up to last year’s meeting in Riyadh, gathered Heads of State and Government from the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States.
A statement from Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information & Strategy, confirmed that the summit’s purpose was to discuss the ongoing crisis and explore potential pathways to peace.
During his address, President Tinubu reaffirmed Nigeria’s strong stance on the urgent need for a ceasefire and underscored the importance of a two-state solution to the conflict.
He stressed that such a solution, in which both Israelis and Palestinians can coexist peacefully, remains “a viable path to lasting peace in the region.”
“The conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering on countless lives,” President Tinubu stated.
“As representatives of nations that value justice, dignity, and the sanctity of human life, we have a moral obligation to collectively bring about an immediate end to this conflict.”
He further pointed out that issuing mere condemnations would not suffice.
“It is not enough to issue empty condemnations. The world must work towards an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has persisted for far too long. No political aim, no military strategy, and no security concern should come at the expense of so many innocent lives,” Tinubu added.
The president also emphasized the importance of adhering to international principles of proportionality in the use of force.
While recognizing the right of nations to self-defense, he stressed that any defensive actions must stay within the boundaries of global legal, diplomatic, and moral frameworks.
“In a rules-based international order, states have the right to self-defense. But self-defense must take proportionality into account, in line with global legal, diplomatic, and moral frameworks. An entire civilian population, their dreams, and futures cannot be dismissed as collateral,” he asserted.
Tinubu’s appeal for proportionality and the protection of civilian life was a central focus of his speech.
He condemned the disproportionate impact of the violence in Gaza on civilians, noting the loss of innocent lives in what he termed an ongoing cycle of aggression.
He expressed concern that the conflict’s toll on human lives and dignity had reached an intolerable level.
In reiterating Nigeria’s position on the Middle East peace process, Tinubu reaffirmed the country’s unwavering support for a two-state solution. He described this vision as one based on equality, mutual recognition, and the right to self-determination.
“It is not just a diplomatic article of faith; it is a vision grounded in the principles of equality and mutual recognition,” Tinubu said.
He also made it clear that realizing this vision requires genuine dialogue and an understanding of the complex history behind the conflict.
“Achieving this vision requires a commitment to dialogue and respect for history,” the president explained.
“We all know this conflict did not begin on October 7, 2023. It can only be resolved through principled compromise, based on an appreciation of the proper context.”