Punish Protesters hoisting Russian flags in Nigeria – APC group

The Confederation of All Progressives Congress Support Groups, says protesters who were arrested for allegedly hoisting Russia’s national flags during the national protests should not go unpunished to serve as deterrent to others.

The Director-General of the group, Prof. Kailani Muhammad, who stated this at a news conference in Abuja, insisted that hoisting of foreign flags in a sovereign state during the protest was criminal and punishable offence.

Muhammad expressed worry over the viral video of some youths hoisting Russia’s national flags during the ongoing national protests in the country, adding it does not portend any good for the Nigeria nation.

He recalled that the Chief of Defence State, Gen.

According to him, the police should ensure that those arrested and detained for allegedly hoisting Russia’s national flags during the ongoing national protests are prosecuted to serve as deterrent to others.

The D-G said, “It is undeniable that Nigeria is in a state of severe distress, necessitating significant and urgent interventions.

“The critical question now is whether we, as a people, possess the collective will and determination to address the longstanding issues plaguing our nation.”

“Over the years, our societal consciousness has weakened, leading to institutional failures that demand immediate attention. The nationwide protest, initiated by the youth on Aug. 1, 2024, underscores this urgent need.

“However, we must ensure it does not escalate into a crisis, as crisis management is far more costly than conflict resolution.”

According to him, historically, we have witnessed events such as the Tiv Massacre, the Wild-Wild West of the 1960s, and the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1971. Although Nigeria has survived these challenges, the nation continues to bear the scars.

“Many of the protesting youth may lack direct experience of these historical events, making it our responsibility to caution against actions that could destabilise the country and incite chaos.”

Muhammad appealed to Nigerian youth to forgo bitterness and engage in constructive dialogue with the government regarding their concerns.

There is no doubt that the nation faces significant challenges, including widespread hunger. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is aware of these issues.

“And as a responsive leader, the President has begun implementing measures to address them. He has initiated the distribution of 20 trailers of 25 kg bags of rice to each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Recently, Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State has criticised Northern leaders who have held positions in the past 15 years, holding them accountable for the region’s numerous problems.

“We urge the youth to engage positively with the President Bola Tinubu-led administration to address these issues amicably, ensuring we collectively benefit from the President’s long-term plans for the nation.