The Russian Federation has distanced itself from Nigerian protesters holding its flags and other symbols of the Russian state to show their anger against the policies of President Bola Tinubu amid the ongoing #EndBadGovernance protests that hit Nigerian cities from August 1.
Some analysts have said the flag is that of the Nigerian Armed Forces, and not necessarily Russian flag.
A statement issued on Monday by the Russian Embassy in Abuja, denied involvement in the use of those symbols, stressing that Russia does not interfere in the internal affairs of any country.
The statement reads in part: “The Embassy has noted the reports in Nigerian media and the circulation of videos and images in digital media depicting protesters in northern states of the country carrying Russian flags and chanting slogans to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“The Government of the Russian Federation as well as any Russian officials are not involved in these activities and do not coordinate them in any way.
“As always, we emphasize that Russia does not interfere in the domestic affairs of foreign states, including Nigeria. These intentions of some protesters to wave Russian flags are personal choices of individuals, and they do not reflect any official position or policy of the Russian Government in the issue.
“We respect Nigerian democracy and believe that peaceful demonstrations in conformity with the Nigerian law are a manifestation of democracy. However, should these events lead to any disruptions or acts of violence we strictly condemn them.”
It was not clear why the protesters started using the Russian flags to demonstrate against the Tinubu government especially in Kano and Kaduna States, but it gathered that this might be connected to the fact that Russia through President Vladimir Putin reportedly came to the aid of the military junta in neighbouring Niger Republic against the harsh and compromising policies of the dethroned democratic government of Mohamed Bazoum.
In his intervention, a Nigerian-American Professor Farooq Kperogi said it is likely an interpolated flag of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Nigerians trooped out in their numbers to protest against the removal of fuel and electricity subsidies and the devaluation of the Nigerian currency – the Naira and the harsh economic crises they have unleashed on the citizens occasioned by skyrocketing prices in food and other essential items.
Although President Tinubu, in a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, made promises, he has refused to yield to the major demands of the protesters which are to return the subsidies on fuel and electricity and reverse the floating of the naira.
Dissatisfied with Tinubu’s response to their demands, the protesters have vowed not to leave the streets until their demands were met, including some of them calling of President Putin and Russia to come to their aid.
