President Bola Tinubu has issued a stern warning to protesters, cautioning them against being manipulated by what he describes as “enemies of democracy” who may seek to destabilize his administration.
In a nationwide address delivered on Sunday, Tinubu responded to recent demonstrations in Kano, where protesters, many of them underage youths, waved Russian flags and called for Russian intervention in Nigeria. The demonstrators expressed concerns that the President was advancing foreign interests, with one protester stating, “We are raising the Russian flag because we believe Tinubu is following the directives of his imperial masters—the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the United States of America.”
The display of Russian support has raised eyebrows, particularly in Northern Nigeria. Bulama Bukarti, a lawyer and social commentator, highlighted the growing affinity for Russia in the region, a trend that has been linked to recent coups in West African nations such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
Although Tinubu refrained from directly mentioning Russia in his speech, he condemned any efforts to undermine constitutional order. He called on Nigerians to unite in the face of challenges, emphasizing the importance of choosing “hope, unity, and progress over fear, division, and stagnation.” He also urged citizens to protect the nation’s fragile economic recovery, warning against actions that could jeopardize it.
“Please, don’t shut out its oxygen,” Tinubu implored, underscoring the critical need for stability in the country.
