During the ongoing nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests, demonstrators in the northern area have been spotted flying Russian flags. The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has said that they have no relation to these protesters.
Some demonstrators were reportedly seen yelling slogans, waving Russian flags, and marching, according to News Central. The Embassy has insisted, nevertheless, that they had no control over this.
Although the Russian embassy claimed that they do not meddle in domestic matters, including those of Nigeria, they have been accused of meddling in the political affairs of West African nations.
The Embassy emphasised in a statement released on Monday that Russia does not meddle in the internal affairs of other nations, including Nigeria. There is no official Russian government policy reflected in the conduct of the demonstrators.
Russia does not meddle in the internal affairs of other nations, including Nigeria, the Embassy emphasised in a statement released on Monday. There is no official Russian government policy that is reflected in the demonstrators’ behaviour.
The statement made clear that these actions are not being coordinated or supported by Russian authorities or the government.
The Embassy took notice of allegations in Nigerian media and films that were making the rounds, depicting demonstrators waving Russian flags and yelling anti-President Putin slogans.
The demonstrators’ activities were underlined in the statement to be their own personal decisions and not a reflection of any official Russian policy.
Respect for Nigerian democracy and law-abiding nonviolent protests was conveyed by the Embassy.
It did, however, denounce any possible disturbances or violent acts that might arise from these occasions.
The text of the statement is as follows:
The Embassy has taken note of the reports appearing in Nigerian media as well as the videos and pictures doing the rounds on digital media that show demonstrators in the country’s northern states waving Russian flags and yelling Russian President Vladimir Putin’s name.
“Neither the Russian Federation’s government nor any individual Russian official participates in these actions or helps to arrange them in any manner.
As always, we want to be clear that Russia does not meddle in the internal affairs of other countries, such as Nigeria. Certain demonstrators’ plans to wave Russian flags are their own, and they don’t represent the official stance or strategy of the Russian government on the matter.
“We value Nigerian democracy and think that law-abiding, nonviolent protests are an expression of that democracy. However, we vehemently condemn any disturbances or violent activities that may result from these gatherings.