PROTESTS: West Interfering In Your Internal Affairs, Not Us, Russia Tells Nigerian Govt

The Russian government has issued a fresh warning to Nigeria, alleging that the United States and the United Kingdom are attempting to interfere in the country’s internal affairs and sabotage its bilateral relations with Russia.

This is as the Russian Embassy in Nigeria has denied any involvement in the October 1st hunger protest that rocked the country.

In a letter addressed to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Russia’s official Press Secretary, Yury Paramonov, stated that his country respects Nigeria’s sovereignty and adheres to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.

Russia has accused Western countries, particularly the US, UK, and Ukraine, of spreading baseless accusations about its involvement in the protests.

The Russian Embassy cited 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 as examples of unfounded claims.

“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 Russian Embassy stated.

The statement added, “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.

“Russia has always respected the sovereignty of Nigeria. We strictly adhere to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of independent states.”