By John Akande (Kali)
“Loyalty to foreign lobbies is treachery to national interest.”
In an era when foreign influence has become the new frontier of modern geopolitics, Nigeria must guard its sovereignty with vigilance. Across the world, lobbying networks, disinformation campaigns, and subtle diplomatic coercion have become powerful tools for shaping political outcomes. Among the most active players in this evolving theatre of influence is Israel, whose sophisticated diplomatic and communication strategies have redefined the limits of soft power.
Recent reports and observations of Honourable Wole Oke, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, engaging closely with Israeli diplomats, therefore raise legitimate concerns about where national loyalty ends and foreign agendas begin.
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The Expanding Reach of Israel’s Influence Network
Israel’s global lobbying operations are neither novel nor accidental. Through well-funded think tanks, policy dialogues, and elite engagement programmes, Tel Aviv has built strategic relationships designed to project influence beyond its immediate neighbourhood. From Washington to West Africa, it seeks to reshape narratives, neutralize criticism, and cultivate allies sympathetic to its political and security positions — especially regarding Palestine.
Against this backdrop, the increasing visibility of Nigerian lawmakers at Israeli-linked events cannot be viewed in isolation. Nigeria’s foreign policy tradition—rooted in non-alignment, justice, and African solidarity—stands in stark contrast to the aggressive lobbying strategies currently defining Israel’s external engagement, particularly as Gaza remains engulfed in violence and humanitarian crisis.
When Parliamentary Diplomacy Crosses the Line
Hon. Oke’s recent interactions with Israeli Ambassador Michael Freeman have not gone unnoticed within Nigeria’s diplomatic community. While parliamentary diplomacy is a recognized form of engagement, the optics of alignment with a controversial foreign power—especially one currently facing global scrutiny for human rights violations—invite justified criticism.
Nigeria’s official position on Palestine has remained consistent since independence: support for a two-state solution, adherence to international law, and solidarity with oppressed peoples. Any action that appears to dilute this principled stance undermines Nigeria’s credibility within the African Union, the United Nations, and among its long-standing allies in the Global South.
The Danger of Foreign Influence and Disinformation
As foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) becomes a growing global security concern, lawmakers and public officials must exercise restraint in their dealings with external actors. Israel, like other major powers, has perfected the art of soft propaganda—organizing conferences, media engagements, and “policy dialogues” to launder its image and reframe public perception.
Nigeria’s institutions must never become vehicles for such operations. Foreign policy is not public relations. It is the projection of national will and moral authority, not a platform for personal networking or political optics.
A Call for Transparency and Accountability
Hon. Oke owes Nigerians clarity on the nature and purpose of his interactions with Israeli officials. Were these meetings sanctioned state engagements or informal alliances serving undisclosed objectives? As Chair of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, his conduct must reflect Nigeria’s strategic autonomy, not the ambitions of any foreign capital.
At a time when information warfare and foreign interference are shaping the global order, Nigeria cannot afford ambiguity. The National Assembly must safeguard the integrity of its foreign relations and ensure that no individual compromises the country’s moral and diplomatic legacy.
Protecting Nigeria’s Diplomatic Heritage
Nigeria’s reputation as a defender of justice—from the anti-apartheid struggle to its advocacy for Palestine—was built on principle, not convenience. To flirt with powers whose policies contradict those values is to risk eroding the foundation of our moral leadership in Africa.
At stake is not merely one man’s reputation but the nation’s sovereignty and credibility in the community of nations. Our leaders must remember that foreign policy loyalty belongs to Nigeria alone.
In the final analysis, loyalty to foreign lobbies is treachery to national interest—and Nigeria must never trade its integrity for diplomatic flattery.
John Akande (Kali) is an international relations and public affairs commentator. He writes from Kubwa, Abuja, and can be reached at Kaliakande@gmail.com.
