THE Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), Thursday slammed the Federal Government for abstaining from voting at the recent Security Council primarily convened over the status to be accorded Palestine in the comity of nations.

   The criticism of Nigeria’s role by NSCIA and MURIC came after Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, praised President Goodluck Jonathan Wednesday, after Nigeria pulled a last-minute surprise that helped thwart a resolution calling for an end to Israeli occupation of Palestinian territory by 2017.

   The NSCIA through its Secretary, Professor Ishiaq Oloyede said the action of the Federal Government betrayed the age long tradition of Nigeria on sensitive foreign issues and therefore should be sharply condemned by all lovers of freedom.

   Oloyede, at a press briefing in Ilorin the Kwara State capital said, the positions of both the United States and Britain at the meeting should ordinarily not had influenced Nigeria’s position citing its precedence on foreign affairs.

   According to the scribe of the apex Islamic organisation in Nigeria, “the thrust of our position is to call the attention of the people of Nigeria to the sad situation. Nigeria as a nation seemed to have deviated from its rich historic positions of fighting for liberation struggles without bias.

   “We are amazed at the outcome of the Security Council where only nine votes were required to grant the Palestinians the much needed liberation. We are shocked that Nigeria abstained from voting over the 66 years old crisis.

   “By this development, we felt that Nigeria government had betrayed the people of Nigeria and created serious problems for the nation’s foreign policies. It was indeed a slap on the faces of all the freedom fighters.”

   Oloyede added, “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.”

   The secretary cited and lauded the foreign policies of two former Nigerian Military rulers, Generals Yakubu Gowon and Ibrahim Babangida as objectives, robust and devoid of any religious colouration.

   According to Oloyede, “Gowon at a point in time, had reasons to sever Nigerian foreign relationship with Israel. Gowon is a Christian. But it was Babangida, a moslem who restored the ties when it was necessary on humanitarian grounds. Our foreign issues had never had anything to do with religion. That is why we want the people of this great country (Nigeria) to hold this government responsible for this diplomatic issue involving the Palestinians.”

   In a statement by MURIC’s Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, the group is astounded by what it called the conservative shift in Nigeria’s foreign policy. “It is on record that Nigeria has always been in the forefront of Africa’s struggle for freedom, justice and equal rights. The latest support for Zionist Israel which is notorious for killing unarmed civilians, women and children is therefore most baffling, uncharacteristically cowardly, highly reprehensible, long in impunity but short in principle,” the group said.

   “In retrospect, we are constrained to liken Nigeria’s decision to pitch tent with Israel to President Jonathan’s consistent disgust for Islamic norms and values, his unveiled desire to marginalize Muslims in the scheme of things and his unhidden mien for the debilitation of Muslims both locally and internationally.”

    “Nigeria is a multi-religious country and if we want enduring peace, whoever assumes the mantle of power here must be ready to treat both Christians and Muslims equally and fairly. A Muslim president who is openly discriminatory will do the Muslims more harm than good and vice versa.

   “We call on the international community to observe the trend in President Jonathan’s administration, particularly the way and manner he has sidelined Muslims and adopted far-reaching anti-Muslim policies. We charge the National Assembly to turn its attention to this insensitive and ignoble decision,” the group said. 

 Israeli Prime Minister, Netanyahu, said he personally spoke to President Jonathan and received his assurance of support.

  Some Israeli media hailed the cordial relations between Jonathan and Netanyauhu, with the Times of Israel recalling how President Jonathan visited Israel during his last pilgrimage with a 20-member delegation, and how Mr. Netanyahu condoled with Nigeria after the Kano Mosque blast that killed more than 100 people.