By Ologeh Joseph Chibu
Western countries are working hard to destroy the historic friendship between Nigeria and Russia, the Eastern European country said on Friday.
The position was contained in a letter written by the Russian Embassy in Abuja and sent to the Nigerian Government.
Russia said Western countries want to link the country with the #EndBadGovernance protest in order to sour the relationship between the two countries.
On Friday, the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs received the letter signed by the Press Secretary of Russian Embassy in Nigeria,
Yury Paramonov in Abuja Irohinoodua was informed.
Russia listed the United States, Ukraine and the United Kingdom as the countries trying to destroy its relationship with Nigeria.
Russian-Nigeria relationship dates back to the 1960s. The East European country has played significant roles in developing Nigerian iron and steel industry apart from numerous decades’ long scholarships in different fields of human endeavour.
Paramonov said Russia had conveyed Russian President Vladimir Putin’s goodwill messaged to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the occasion of Nigeria’s National Day.
He said, “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.”
Russia 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.”
He said Russia has always respected the sovereignty of Nigeria.
“We strictly adhere to the principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of independent states.”
“The Embassy also extends its best wishes to the people and Government of Nigeria for prosperity and stability, and we hope for continued cooperation and deepening relations between our two countries.”