The Russian Embassy in Nigeria clarified on Monday that its officials are neither involved in nor coordinating the activities of individuals waving Russian flags during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests across the country.
In a statement released in Abuja, the embassy stressed that neither the Russian government nor its officials are connected to the protesters’ activities. The nationwide protest, which began on Thursday, August 1, is a response to the widespread hardship faced by Nigerian citizens.
Earlier on Monday, the police reported the arrest of the supplier of the Russian flags and 30 protesters.
Responding to these developments, the Russian embassy stated, “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.”
The embassy attributed the use of Russian symbols by the protesters to personal choices, asserting that these actions do not reflect any official stance or policy of the Russian government. “These intentions of some protesters to wave Russian flags are personal choices of individuals and do not reflect any official position or policy of the Russian Government on the issue,” the statement noted.
The embassy also expressed respect for Nigeria’s democratic processes, recognizing peaceful demonstrations as a legitimate expression of democracy. However, it condemned any potential disruptions or acts of violence that might arise from these events. “We respect Nigerian democracy and believe that peaceful demonstrations in conformity with Nigerian law are a manifestation of democracy. However, should these events lead to any disruptions or acts of violence, we strictly condemn them,” the statement added.
