Wike re-explained meeting with Israeli envoy amid protest from pro Palestine supporters

Wike re-explained meeting with Israeli envoy amid protest from pro Palestine supporters

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has issued clarifications regarding his meeting with the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria on October 3. He strongly refuted baseless claims that he expressed support for Israel against Palestine.

During a recent meeting with the leadership of the Abuja National Mosque Management Board, Wike emphasized that he lacks the constitutional authority to determine Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with other countries, as this power solely rests with the President and Commander-in-Chief.

He stated, “I have heard from various social media platforms that we had a meeting that we are doing this and that with Israel. I am here acting on delegation of powers on behalf of Mr. President. I cannot determine a relationship between a country and another country.”

Wike clarified that any foreign entity wishing to engage with Nigeria must go through the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who would contact him for official discussions. He emphasized that his meeting with the Israeli Ambassador aimed at fostering agricultural partnerships for the benefit of farmers in the FCT.

“In Abuja here, most of them have cultural farms, and we say, look, it is our own desire to help anybody who wants to invest in Abuja, particularly in agriculture,” Wike explained, highlighting that the objective was to generate employment and increase revenue.

Wike underscored the importance of harmonious coexistence and urged people to understand that the meeting had no bearing on Nigeria’s diplomatic relations with other countries.

The Israeli Ambassador, Michael Freeman, visited the FCT minister to discuss opportunities for collaboration, such as generating employment, transforming Abuja into a technology hub, and engaging in agricultural partnerships. Wike reciprocated by expressing Nigeria’s commitment to partnering with Israel in Information Technology, establishing a technology village in Abuja, creating a technology-driven farm to employ youth, and enhancing technological security measures for national security.