Row over alleged protesters in Nigeria waving Russian flags

By Kayode Odusote

Reports on Saturday indicated that some protesters in Northern Nigeria were sighted waving Russian flags amidst calls for military intervention by some protesters in a section of the North.

But such reports which is trending have been dismissed by many observers as a fluke.

Nigerians took to the streets in various parts of the country in a 10-day protest tagged “EndBadGovernance”

The protests began on Thursday and expected to end after 10 days.

In a curious development, some of the protesters in North West and South West of the country were reportted to be seen waving Russian flags.

Observers see the development in North and South meaning different things

One Government official who does not wish to be names said if the Russian flag was sighted in the North it might mean a call for a replay of what happened in some West African countries where radical elements have seized power from stupendously corrupt politicians.

But a top member of the Nigerian Institute for International Affairs, (NIIA) who does not wish to be named said the waving of Russian flags in Nigeria may also represent growing resentment against the domination of Nigerian economic and political history by the United States, France and Brittain who continue to dictate the anti-people policies in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund, (IMF).

He said the waving of Russian flags said to have been sighted in the Western part of Nigeria populated mainly by the Yoruba would mean a different thing compared with the North.

He said ” I think it’s more like a vote of confidence in alternative ideology as against the Western model that has kept Nigeria as a satellite state without any fundamental changes in the life of the ordinary people.”

But the General Secretary, Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements, (AYDM) Comrade Popoola Ajayi said the Yoruba have no problem with people waving Russian flags as a means of preference for a Socialist or welfare alternative to what he called the “murderous economic policies of Nigeria dictated by Western powers” adding that the most significant Yoruba leader, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo was an ally of Russia and that his relationship with the East European country helped propelled the South West to global fame in the short time he ruled Nigeria.

He said “If the Russian flag is to instigate a military coup in Nigeria, I can promise you it will be a call for war. The former President Mohammadu Buhari ruined Nigeria for eight years. During the ENDSARs# there were no protests in core North. If the Russian flag is being held in the South West, it speaks to anti-imperialism but seeing young people in the North who cannot even spell the word Russia, holding Russsian flag is nothing but a conscious propaganda to indirectly call for military intervention which the Yoruba in collaboration with the South-South and the Middle Belt and even among the core North people will resist by all means necessary.”

He said any military coup now would destabilise the country and would never accept national acceptance.

He said such a coup would only favour “thieves and murderers” who benefit from the rot in Nigeria adding that they may actually be “Western agents” hiding under a “revolutionary flag”

He said the current leaders of the military in Nigeria are trusted and “would never allow Nigeria to be plunged into any major crisis.”

Another commentator Bashir Ahmad who share the alleged picture said Russian flags have been seen among protesters in some parts of the country.

He said “It’s crucial for authorities to closely monitor the situation and take necessary precautions.”

He said this may indicate various underlying sentiments or influences that need to be carefully assessed and addressed by the government.

Spokesperson, Arewa Youth Assembly for Good Leadership Abdul Danbature in an interview monitored by Irohinoodua said his group has written to the Federal Government adding that from next week, Northern protesters would be mobilised to stay off the road. He said though there is hunger in the country but there is no justification for violence.