The Russian government has firmly distanced itself from allegations linking it to the recent hunger protests in Nigeria.
According to Russian officials, these claims are part of a coordinated media campaign orchestrated by Western and Ukrainian officials to interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs and “shift the blame for any consequences onto the Russian Federation.”
In a letter addressed to Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, shared on Friday by the Press Secretary of the Russian Embassy in Nigeria, Yury Paramonov, Russia dismissed the accusations.
The letter specifically referenced statements from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, former British Council Director David Roberts, and Ukrainian Ambassador Ivan Kholostenko, which suggested that the presence of Russian flags during protests indicated Russian interference.
The use of Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests in August has stirred controversy. Some protesters were seen waving the flags while chanting slogans, raising suspicions of external involvement. This incident has since fueled a broader debate on the potential influence of foreign nations in Nigeria’s internal affairs.
Recent accusations have linked Russia to political unrest in West African countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, where military coups have severed ties with France and fostered closer relations with Russia. In response to claims of involvement in Nigeria’s protests, Russia accused the U.S., Britain, and Ukraine of trying to undermine its relationship with Nigeria, urging the Nigerian government to dismiss these allegations.
“The Embassy categorically rejects such accusations,” the letter emphasized, reaffirming that Russia had no involvement in either past or potential future protests in Nigeria. Russian officials reiterated their respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty and commitment to non-interference in the internal affairs of independent states.
In contrast to the accusations, Russia highlighted the ongoing “coordinated media campaign” by Western and Ukrainian officials as an effort to manipulate Nigeria’s domestic situation. The letter underscored that Russia values its diplomatic relations with Nigeria and supports peaceful dialogue within legal frameworks to resolve internal disputes.
In a gesture of goodwill, Russian President Vladimir Putin conveyed his congratulations to President Bola Tinubu on Nigeria’s National Day. The Russian Embassy extended its best wishes to the Nigerian government and people, expressing hope for continued cooperation and deeper bilateral relations between the two nations.
