Nigerian lawyer Maxwell Opara has said foreign governments are unlikely to intervene in Nigeria’s domestic political disputes because they prioritize their national and diplomatic interests.
Speaking on Arise Television on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Opara reacted to reports that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar engaged a U.S. lobbying firm, arguing that expecting foreign governments to influence Nigeria’s internal affairs is unrealistic.
Drawing on his experience in legal proceedings involving IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, Opara said the United Kingdom had made its position clear during the case.
“When we were handling Nnamdi Kanu’s matter, the United Kingdom made it clear that it would not do anything that would affect its relationship with Nigeria,” he said.
Opara added, “These guys are interested in their own. So if you are waiting for them to come and resolve our problem here, you are just wasting your time.”
He maintained that political disputes, elections and leadership contests should be resolved through Nigeria’s constitutional and democratic institutions, stressing that foreign governments generally avoid actions that could strain diplomatic or economic ties with sovereign nations.
