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It Is The Personal Choice Of Nigerian Protesters To Use Our Flag – Russia Embassy

BySodiq Lawal

PublishedAugust 5, 2024

The Russian Embassy in Nigeria has reacted to the use of its flag by #EndBadGovernance protesters in Nigeria.

The Embassy noted that it is the personal choice of the protesters to use the country’s flag.

Osun Defender recalls that some Nigerians were seen in Kano waving Russian flags amid the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest calling for an end to economic hardship.

In Kano, northern Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre, pictures on social media showed protesters waving Russian flags as they marched through the city.

The pictures were taken on Thursday—the first day of the protests.

Also, on Saturday, hundreds of mostly underaged youths took to the streets of Kano, urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to intervene in Nigeria.

In Kurna Asabe, Fagge LGA, some of the protesters displayed placards with different inscriptions calling for a Russian military takeover.

The demonstrators expressed a desperate and urgent need for change, saying the current situation is unsustainable, noting that they would rather risk death from violence than continue to suffer from hunger and deprivation.

But in a statement on Monday, the embassy emphasised that Russia does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, including Nigeria, and that the protesters’ actions do not reflect any official Russian government policy or position.

According to the statement, “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.”