Parliamentary Diplomacy Misunderstood: Wole Oke Defends Official Meeting with Israeli Ambassador

 

By Oriontimes Abuja Bureau

Abuja, Nigeria — October 9, 2025:

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs, Hon. Oluwole Oke,

has clarified recent social-media speculations surrounding his engagement with the Israeli Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency Michael Freeman, describing the meeting as part of routine parliamentary diplomacy conducted in line with Nigeria’s foreign policy protocols.

In a press statement issued in Abuja, Oke’s office explained that the Ambassador’s visit was officially requested and processed through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following all necessary diplomatic channels. The lawmaker emphasized that the meeting, first requested in April 2025, was neither private nor personal, but a scheduled engagement within his committee’s oversight function.

“Hon. Oke’s meeting was within the confines of legitimate parliamentary diplomacy, a standard practice for legislators to engage foreign envoys on matters of national interest,” the statement read.

The lawmaker reaffirmed Nigeria’s unwavering support for the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, consistent with the country’s long-standing diplomatic position adopted at the United Nations.

Assertions suggesting the engagement amounted to “hobnobbing” or promoting a foreign agenda were dismissed as misleading and capable of undermining democratic institutions.

The statement further reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to a principled foreign policy, stressing that all interactions with foreign missions are guided by transparency, respect for international law, and Nigeria’s national interest.

“Several envoys have made similar visits to this office and other government officials at both national and subnational levels,” the statement noted.

Hon. Oke also expressed his willingness to meet with the Ambassador of Palestine in Nigeria at the shortest notice, underscoring the importance of maintaining balanced, fact-based diplomacy.

 “We trust that transparent and fact-based dialogue will continue to guide Nigeria’s diplomatic engagements,” the statement concluded.

The clarification was signed by Tunji Iyanda, Senior Legislative Aide to Hon. Oluwole Oke.