We have no hand in #FearlessInOctober protests, Russia assures Nigeria

The Russian government has denied involvement in the October 1st hunger protest in Nigeria, accusing Western nations of attempting to damage its relationship with the country by associating Russia with the unrest.

This was revealed in a letter from the Russian government addressed to the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on Friday by Yury Paramonov, the official Press Secretary of the Russian Embassy in Nigeria.

During the protest, some demonstrators were seen waving Russian flags and chanting slogans, while others held placards with various messages.

Russia, a global power, has recently faced accusations of meddling in political upheavals across West African nations such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, raising concerns about external interference in regional affairs.

However, Russia refuted these claims, asserting that the United States, Britain, and Ukraine were deliberately linking the country to the protests in a bid to undermine its relationship with Nigeria. The Russian government advised Nigeria to dismiss these allegations.

“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 letter read.

The Russian Embassy firmly rejected these accusations, stating: “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.”

In contrast, the letter claimed that a coordinated media campaign by Western and Ukrainian officials aimed to interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs and shift the blame onto Russia.

“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,” the letter concluded.

Paramonov also conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Nigeria’s National Day, adding that Russia wishes Nigeria prosperity and stability and looks forward to continued cooperation between the two nations.