Former British diplomat David Roberts has cautioned the Nigerian government against the upcoming protests over economic hardship scheduled for October, suggesting that foreign interests might be manipulating the situation. The Coalition of Concerned Nigerian Citizens announced plans for larger protests on October 1 if the federal government fails to reduce the high cost of living.
Roberts, who previously served as the director of the British Council in Nigeria, highlighted recent comments from U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Blinken alleged that African Stream, a media outlet linked to protest supporter David Hundeyin, is involved in a Russian intelligence operation aimed at destabilizing Nigeria. This assertion has led to African Stream being banned from Facebook due to its purported connections.
In light of these revelations, Roberts expressed concern over the potential for external forces to exploit Nigerians’ genuine grievances. He noted the presence of Russian flags during recent protests, urging the Nigerian government to take the proposed October demonstrations seriously and to alert citizens about the influences at play.
Roberts remarked, “Nigeria should be very careful about the proposed October 1st protest,” advising that the government take preventative measures to address the situation before it escalates. He drew parallels with the recent turmoil in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso, suggesting that Nigeria could face similar challenges if the protests are not managed effectively.
