Hunger Protest: 3 Reasons the Use of Russian Flag by Protesters Should Be Investigated
The hunger protest against President Bola Tinubu's administration took a new turn on Saturday, August 3, when some protesters in the northern region raised Russian flags and chanted praises of Russia's president, Vladimir Putin.
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While the military has vowed to defend Nigeria's democracy, there are political, economic, and security concerns about why Nigeria's government should not take Russia's alleged interest in the country lightly.
Source: Twitter
Nigerians took to the streets on Thursday, August 1, to protest hunger and the country's economic hardship. Reacting, President Tinubu made a nationwide broadcast calling for dialogue with the protest leaders
However, the protests against hardship and hunger took a dangerous turn on Monday, August 5, with protesters in northern states waving Russian flags and chanting "Tinubu must go." In Kaduna, protesters waved Russian flags and chanted in Hausa, "Tinubu ze soka' kaa'sa," meaning "Tinubu must step down."
They also hailed the soldiers on the protest ground, saying, "Tinubu yaa'so'ka, mu'na so soja," meaning, "Tinubu, step down; we want soldiers." This raised tensions and concerns about the genuineness of the protests.
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The piece highlights three reasons why the use of Russian flags by some of the protesters should be investigated.
Russia's possible economic interest
During his presidential campaign, Tinubu vowed to compete with Russia in supplying gas to the European market. Russia is reported to be one of the top gas suppliers in Europe.
Barely a month in office as president, Tinubu, on June 16, 2023, through the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), signed a memorandum of understanding with five African countries in supplying gas to Europe.
The five African countries involved in the "$30bn Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project" deal are Morocco, Ivory Coast, Benin Republic, The Republic of Guinea, and Liberia.
Shortly after the deal, the Niger Republic, a close neighbour with strong religious and cultural ties with Northern Nigeria, experienced a military coup, which President Tinubu strongly moved to revert but could not succeed.
In the Niger Republic coup, Russia has been accused of instigating an unconstitutional change of government, as it has been in other African countries, including Mali and Burkina Faso.
The coup (linked to Russia) is relevant because the pipeline is expected to pass through the country as well. So, it set back the project and ensured Russia has less competition in terms of gas supply in Europe.
Below is the video of Tinubu making the promise during the campaign:
Four northern politicians linked to Russian flag
On Wednesday, August 7, The Punch reported that Nigeria's security agencies are investigating four politicians from northern Nigeria over their alleged involvement in the use of Russian flags by #EndBadGovernance protesters.
According to The Punch, the politicians are from Katsina, Kaduna, and Kano states and are suspected of instigating the use of Russian flags to promote an unconstitutional regime change.
According to sources cited by the media outlet, the four politicians played prominent roles in the 2023 election and are now being targeted by security agencies for their alleged involvement in the protests.
The sources further revealed that the politicians were "principal actors" who encouraged the use of Russian flags among protesters in the north.
Russia's endorsement of Taliban: Security concerns for Nigeria
In an explainer in 2021, TheCable highlighted the potential of the Boko Haram terrorist group to replicate what the Taliban did in Afghanistan, especially following the Taliban's endorsement by Russia.
According to TheCable, The Taliban, a group designated as terrorist by some countries, poses a concern as it may offer a safe haven for various extremist organizations, including al-Qaeda, ISIS, ISWAP, and Boko Haram.
Notably, al-Qaeda has historical ties with Boko Haram, providing funding in the group's early stages, and maintains a friendship with the Taliban.
It further explained that "immediately after the takeover of Kabul, Russia and China expressed their readiness to work with the Taliban. This is in addition to Iran and Pakistan, who are considered allies of the group."
Why protesters should take responsibility for damages
Speaking on the damages caused during the protest, Barrister Oladotun Hassan, a legal practitioner who spoke to Legit.ng on the protest, maintained that the organisers of the protests and their lead lawyer must take responsibility for the damages.
He alleged that the protesters broke the law, citing the killing of police and burning down of police stations in Abuja. He stressed that while there is rhetoric on the right to protest, there is a corresponding law to maintain law and order. Oladotun said:
"The corresponding duty is to maintain law and order, to maintain proper legal processing during the course of protests with fundamental demands that are formidable enough to attend to the deliberate needs of the people."
Read more on Russia-related stories
- "Russia Using Boko Haram's Tactics": Why Nigeria, Others Should Stand with Ukraine, Envoy Explains
- Atiku Tackles Military Chiefs, Mutes on Protesters Raising Russian Flags
- US sanctions test China's 'no limits' friendship with Russia
Russia speaks on Nigerian protesters waving its flags
Meanwhile, the Russian embassy in Nigeria has distanced Moscow from the protesters waving its flags in some parts of Northern Nigeria.
According to the embassy, the decision of the protesters to wave Russian flags was their personal choice and condemned any violent protest.
"As always, we emphasize that Russia does not interfere in the domestic affairs of foreign states, including Nigeria. These intentions of some protesters to wave Russian flags are personal choices of individuals, and they do not reflect any official position or policy of the Russian Government in the issue," the embassy said.
Proofreading by James, Ojo Adakole, journalist and copy editor at Legit.ng.
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Source: Legit.ng
Bada Yusuf (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Yusuf Amoo Bada is an accomplished writer with 7 years of experience in journalism and writing, he is also politics and current affairs editor with Legit.ng. He holds B.A in Literature from OAU, and Diploma in Mass Comm. He has obtained certificates in Google's Advance Digital Reporting, News Lab workshop. He previously worked as an Editor with OperaNews. Legit’s Best Editor of the Year for Politics and Current Affairs Desk (2023). Contact: bada.yusuf.amoo@corp.legit.ng
Barrister Oladotun Hassan (Public Affairs analyst) Barrister Oladotun Hassan, a Public Affairs analyst, is the secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Epe Branch. He is also the executive project director of Lawyers for Reform Group. Barrister Hassan is a member of the Section for Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), the NBA Security Agencies Relations Committee. He is the president of the Nigerian Youths Coalition, secretary general of Nigeria Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council, and president of the Yoruba Council Worldwide.
