There is a brewing tension between Russia and Ukraine as both countries have been exchanging statements over allegations of interference in Nigeria’s internal affairs during the nationwide hunger protests in August and October.

The Russian government, in a statement released on Friday, distanced itself from the October 1st protest in Nigeria, rather blaming the USA and the UK for trying to destroy its relationship with Nigeria by linking the country with the unrest.

The Russian embassy however, dismissed the accusations as baseless, reiterating that the country had no involvement in the protests.

In the statement issued by the Russian Press Secretary, Yury Paramonov, the government rejected claims made by certain Western and Ukrainian media outlets that Russia was behind the unrest in Nigeria.

While issuing a stern warning to western countries not to drag Russia into their propaganda, Paramonov said the countries should rather be blamed for attempting to interfere in Nigeria’s internal affairs and undermine its bilateral relations with Russia.

The warning is coming following concerns that Russia was fully involved in the August hunger protests where its national flags were displayed by some of the protesters in some states that in northern Nigeria, raising concerns of foreign interference.

“I would like to share with you our note to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nigeria, which we sent at the end of September when there were rumors of potential unrest in Nigeria, and the embassies of the USA, the UK, and Ukraine were prematurely trying to blame Russia for it. As expected, all these claims turned out to be fabrications and attempts to create discord between the friendly peoples of Russia and Nigeria,” the statement reads.

“The Embassy of the Russian Federation in the Federal Republic of Nigeria has taken note of the media reports circulating about possible protests in Nigeria at the beginning of October this year.

“The embassy is also dismayed by the fact that certain Western and Ukrainian media outlets are attempting to preemptively accuse Russia of involvement in, or even organising such unrest.

“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 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.

‘By contrast, the coordinated media campaign by Western and Ukrainian officials and outlets clearly points to their attempts to meddle in Nigeria’s internal affairs and shift the blame for any consequences onto the Russian Federation.

“We greatly value the 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.”

But in a swift response to the Russian warning, Ukraine’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Ivan Kholostenko, also issued a statement, condemning the Russian regime and its actions on the global stage.

“Ukraine knows perfectly well what the Russian regime is. And we would like to refer to the truthful facts,” the Ambassador said.

“The truth is that the Russian army commits awful and numerous war crimes and atrocities in the territory of Ukraine every day. Russians kill, rape and torture civilians, including women and children,” Kholostenko said.

He further accused Russia of deliberately sabotaging international food security by withdrawing from the Black Sea Grain Initiative and targeting Ukrainian grain exports.

Kholostenko further cited the International Criminal Court’s arrest warrant against Russian President Vladimir Putin, issued in March 2023 for the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children from occupied territories, as evidence of Russia’s disregard for international law.

“All these atrocities and war crimes have been and still are being committed under Russian flags,” Kholostenko said.

President Bola Tinubu believes that the localisation of production processes and cost reduction are critical factors in addressing hunger and high cost of living in Nigeria.

Tinubu, who made the assertion at the 2024 National MSME Conference held in Abuja on Thursday, emphasised that the country’s economic challenges, especially food insecurity, stems from a reliance on imported goods and inefficient local production.

The president, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, noted that Nigerians experienced hunger because the country has not fully localised production processes that will help in reducing costs effectively.

“I also realise the importance of innovation and digitalisation to this purpose. There is no justice in creating an economy that is not sustainable for the coming generations,” the President said.

“Our constitution frowns upon it, I frown upon it, and morality frowns upon it. As a country, we are still suffering the effects of trying to shift from a crude-based economy which has left us debt-ridden.

“Thus, stating the role of MSMEs, said they were the engines of rural industrialisation, poverty alleviation, and sustainable development.

He further reiterated the government’s commitment to fostering a sustainable and innovation-driven economy while calling for collective efforts to enhance local production capabilities, stating that by reducing production costs, the government could improve access to essential goods and alleviate hunger.