Waving Russian flag by protesters worrisome – Governor
Gombe State Governor, Muhammadu Yahaya, on Thursday, described as worrisome and disappointing the waving of the Russian flag by northern youths during the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest, which turned violent in some northern states.
Yahaya, who is the Chairman of the Northern Governors’ Forum, made the remark during his visit on Thursday to Kumo in the Akko Local Government Area of the state.
The governor, who was in the town to inaugurate the Kumo General Hospital, was welcomed by youths of the town waving the Nigerian flag at his convoy.
Yahaya said he felt relieved and proud to see youths waving the Nigerian flag, noting that the use of the Russian flag by the hunger protesters was disappointing.
The PUNCH reports that the use of the Russian flag generated concerns in the government, which immediately sent security agents after the youths.
In Gombe, the police arrested no fewer than 10 suspects, while some foreigners believed to have sponsored the demonstration with the Russian flags were arrested and are being grilled by the Department of State Services.
In Kano, a tailor, making the Russian flags and supplying them to the protesters was also nabbed.
The Federal Government condemned the development and warned foreign countries to steer clear from Nigerian affairs while the Russian embassy in Nigeria denied any link with the protest.
Speaking on Thursday after opening the Kumo General Hospital, the Gombe governor said it was a relief to see youths waving the Nigerian flag.
“I really feel very happy and fulfilled. I’m so proud of them because because in so many places you will see the flags of other countries being raised; showing the level of decay and disappointment. Here we see support, love, care and concern from them, especially the youth. It makes you feel relief that at least there is a brighter future for Nigeria and I’m happy,” Yahaya said.
Speaking on the vision behind the new hospital, Yahaya said, “In 2019, I received a security briefing on the deplorable state of the facility. We concluded that there was no better option than to demolish it to make it a modern secondary medical facility with 200 bed spaces to cover Gombe Central. I feel fulfilled. We started with primary health care across the 114 wards. I urge the people to support the government to deliver on its promises.”
