Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sharara Reporters and a two-term presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), has stated that there is no wrongdoing in displaying Russian flags during protests. Sowore, who is also the convener of the RevolutionNow Protest, emphasized that it is not a treasonable offense. He drew a comparison by pointing out that Christian leaders fly Israeli flags in churches, while many people display Palestinian flags in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle.
This statement from Sowore follows President Bola Tinubu’s instruction to security agencies to crackdown on individuals displaying Russian flags in the country.
General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, confirmed the president’s directive during a briefing with State House correspondents after the National Security Council meeting.
The military’s directive has been met with criticism by Sowore, who described it as diversionary. He believes it is a tactic to make Nigerians forget about the ongoing protest against the government.
Furthermore, Sowore questioned the hypocrisy surrounding the issue, asking why the Nigerian Army was instructed to use force against young Nigerians waving flags and singing the national anthem during the #EndSARS protest in 2020 if displaying flags is considered a crime.
