President Bola Tinubu, on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, called for an immediate end to what he described as “Israeli aggression in Gaza,” stressing that the ongoing conflict in Palestine has brought “immeasurable suffering” and must be addressed with urgency.
Tinubu made these remarks while addressing leaders gathered at an extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit focused on the escalating tensions in the Middle East.
In a statement from his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu expressed Nigeria’s deep concern over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.
He emphasized the nation’s longstanding support for a two-state solution, advocating for a peaceful coexistence between Israelis and Palestinians as the viable path to lasting stability in the region.
“The conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, causing unspeakable hardship,” Tinubu stated. “As representatives of nations that value justice, dignity, and human life, we bear a moral duty to end this suffering.”
The Nigerian leader urged all parties involved to respect the principles of proportionality and civilian protection, aligned with international legal and diplomatic frameworks.
He pointed out, “In a rules-based global order, states have the right to self-defense, but this must be balanced with proportionality. No military objective justifies the cost of innocent lives.”
President Tinubu also reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to a two-state solution, describing it as “a vision grounded in equality and mutual respect.”
He noted that achieving this goal would require committed dialogue and an appreciation of the historical context, rather than reactionary violence.
The summit, which followed the previous Riyadh Summit, brought together leaders from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the League of Arab States, aiming to renew diplomatic efforts and explore practical solutions for sustainable peace.
Tinubu commended Saudi Arabia’s leadership for hosting the summit, calling it a critical opportunity to refocus global attention on the region’s challenges.
He urged the creation of a secretariat to oversee the implementation of the summit’s resolutions, suggesting that a committee of select Heads of Government be appointed to lead these peace-building efforts, while providing regular progress updates to the OIC and Arab League leadership.
