The Russian government has denied any connection to the recent hunger protests in Nigeria.
Officials stated that allegations associating Russia with the protests are part of coordinated media campaigns by Western and Ukrainian officials aimed at interfering in Nigeria’s internal matters and “shifting the blame for any consequences onto the Russian Federation.”
In a letter to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared on Friday by Yury Paramonov, the official Press Secretary of the Russian embassy in Nigeria, Russia criticized comments attributed to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former Director of the British Council in Nigeria David Roberts, and Ukrainian Ambassador to Nigeria Ivan Kholostenko. These comments suggested that the display of Russian flags during recent protests indicates Russian interference.
It is noteworthy that some protesters during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria demonstration in August were seen waving Russian flags while chanting slogans, a development that sparked controversy.
Russia has also faced accusations of involvement in recent political upheavals in West African countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. These nations, which experienced military coups, have severed ties with their former colonial ruler, France, and sought closer relations with Russia, raising concerns.
In response to the allegations regarding the Nigerian protests, Russia asserted that the U.S., Britain, and Ukraine are trying to link it to the protests to undermine its friendly relations with Nigeria, urging the Federal government to disregard such claims.
“In particular, statements by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former Director of the British Council in Nigeria David Roberts, and the Ambassador of Ukraine to Nigeria Ivan Kholostenko have shamelessly and baselessly suggested that the use of Russian flags during recent protests is evidence of Russia’s interference and have further warned that this could happen again in the future.
“The Embassy categorically rejects such accusations and reiterates that the Russian Federation neither had any involvement in the protests that occurred in the recent past nor does it have any connection to any potential future demonstrations or unrest,” the letter read partly.
The government said “Russia has always respected the sovereignty of Nigeria. We strictly adhere to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of independent states.
“By contrast, the coordinated media campaign by Western and Ukrainian officials and outlets clearly points to their attempts to meddle in Nigeria’s internal affairs and shift the blame for any consequences onto the Russian Federation.
“We greatly value the level of relations between our two countries, support only peaceful dialogue within the legal framework as the proper means to resolve any internal disputes, and once again express our unwavering support for the leadership and the people of Nigeria.”
Yuri said the Embassy had conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s congratulations to President Bola Tinubu on the occasion of Nigeria’s National Day.
“The Embassy also extends its best wishes to the people and Government of Nigeria for prosperity and stability, and we hope for continued cooperation and deepening relations between our two countries,” he said.
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