African Continent's Reactions To Russia's Invasion Of Ukraine – Part II – Former Nigerian Minister: 'I Blame Zelensky And His Western Allies And Friends For This Unfolding Tragedy'

On March 2, 2022, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) passed a resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia's diplomacy in Africa was very effective, since almost half of the African countries in Africa preferred to abstain or not to participate at all to the vote. [1]

Nigeria was among the countries that voted in favor of the resolution. Yet, Nigerian media are asking their government to prefer neutrality in the conflict, as the country depends on food exports from both Russia and Ukraine. The Nigerian media outlet The Guardian wrote that Nigeria should "show more pragmatic interests in the crisis... Nigerians in particular and African in general should be wise enough to understand that the politics behind this war is inimical to African interests." The media outlet then added: "We urge Nigerians to look out for themselves in the searing politics of power play and supremacy." [2]

On March 20, 2022, former Nigerian minister of Culture and Aviation Femi Fani-Kayode wrote an article, titled "Ukraine: Is Zelensky A Hero Or Is He Deluded?" in the Nigerian media outlet Premium Times. In the article, Fani-Kayode said that he cannot call Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky a "hero." "A hero does NOT allow neo-colonial foreigners and greedy imperialists, disciples and architects of the New World Order, bellicose and expansionist Western military alliances and perfidious and cowardly Western governments to fool, cajole and push his people into fighting a war that they cannot possibly win or to indulge in an unnecessary conflict with a neighbor that has a massive and all powerful conventional army and more nuclear weapons than any other nation in the world," he wrote. He then added that he blames Zelensky and the West for the unfolding tragedy in Ukraine.[3]

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari (Source: Gazettengr.com)

Below are the two articles published in the Nigerian media outlets The Guardian and Premium Times:

Nigerian Media Outlet The Guardian: "Nigeria Should Show More Pragmatic Interests In The Crisis"

"The so-called 'fraternal squabble' between two neighbors, as President Vladimir Putin profiled it, is nestling an overarching effect on the global community.

"Besides the devious geopolitical dynamics that triggered the Russia-Ukraine conflict in the first place, countries several miles away can feel the pinch on local economies. It is for this reason that Nigeria should show more pragmatic interests in the crisis, know where it stands in the power dynamics and with foresight, begin to make preparations to address emerging fallouts of the war.

"It is a fact that Russia is regarded as Nigeria's sixth-largest trade partner in terms of imports. Apart from oil and gas, agricultural products, Nigeria imports potash, a primary ingredient for fertilizer, from Russia. So far, the disruption in global shipment occasioned by imposed sanctions against Russia as well as its aftermath has led to a surging increase in diesel and supply of petroleum to Nigeria.

"From Ukraine, Nigeria imports iron ore for the production of steel and primary manufacturing hardware. Both Russia and Ukraine are the largest exporters of durum wheat to Nigeria. Durum wheat is used in the production of flour for bread and noodles.

"Apart from this, Russia exports seafood such as mackerel, herring and other fish types to Nigeria, while Ukraine exports dairy and agricultural products to Nigeria.

"As with every mishap that takes Nigeria unawares, the war has revealed Nigeria's dependence on the outside world for even subsistence. According to informed analysts, the impact of the war will see a steady rise in the price of staple foods such as bread and noodles. Agricultural products are likely to be affected since the demand for fertilizer will increase worldwide. Nigeria which also produces fertilizer, as a petroleum by-product, may want to cash in on the global demand to the detriment of local consumption...

"In situations such as this, when major actors in the crisis are soliciting support, Nigeria should desist from taking sides. Our leaders and people should be wary of smear campaigns and propaganda machines that elicit sympathy. Despite the sordid existential plight faced by victims of this war, Nigerians should note that this war is a western creation and as widely explained, it is a European tragedy. Nigerians in particular and African in general should be wise enough to understand that the politics behind this war is inimical to African interests. As the incidences of racist treatment meted on Africans have shown, Nigerians need not be told that when the chips are down, they are on their own. We need not be told that this is the time also to tell Africans to sit up on rational and realistic management of international relations.

"Consequently, it is grossly naïve and foolhardy for ignorant Nigerians with no sense of history to drag themselves into the war. Whilst we empathize with victims of the war, expressing our repugnance to the grave violations of rights of innocent civilians and the perpetuation of sufferings of helpless human beings, especially women and children, we urge Nigerians to look out for themselves in the searing politics of power play and supremacy."

Former Nigerian Minister Femi Fani-Kayode: "Never Trust A Man Or Woman Who Urges You To Go Into A War... That You Cannot Possibly Win"

Femi Fani-Kayode (Source: Premiumtimesng.com)

"I deplore and condemn the barbaric killings and vicious barbarism that has been unleashed against a mainly defenseless and helpless civilian population in the Ukraine.

"Yet, the bitter truth is that all President Volodymyr Zelensky has to do, to stop the relentless slaughter of his people, is to state clearly and categorically that the Ukraine will NEVER join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), that the Ukraine will NEVER allow foreign military bases on her soil and that the Ukraine will MAINTAIN her neutrality, like Sweden and Finland.

"He also has to allow the Russian-speaking people of Donesk and Eastern Ukraine to exercise their rights of self-determination and either form their own independent country or become part of Russia.

"Finally, he has to renounce Ukraine's claim to Crimea and accept the fact that this strategically-placed seaport and region is now, and will always be, part and parcel of Russia.

"Instead of offering these guarantees and taking these steps, he is giving fine speeches to Western parliaments, whilst his people are being slaughtered and butchered in their churches, offices, homes and houses and whilst his villages, towns and cities are being bombed, burnt, bombarded and utterly destroyed.

"I am constrained to ask, what type of man is this? Is he delusional or does he just pretend to be?

"I cannot possibly describe him as a hero.

"I say this because a hero HELPS his people, does what is in their BEST interest and does all that is REASONABLE and NECESSARY to guarantee their comfort, well-being, safety and security.

"A hero does NOT goad and provoke the Russian bear or spit in its face in a reckless and dangerous display of open defiance and contempt.

"A hero does that which is WISE and politically EXPEDIENT in order to secure and protect his people and to defend his nation's borders.

"A hero does NOT allow neo-colonial foreigners and greedy imperialists, disciples and architects of the New World Order, bellicose and expansionist Western military alliances and perfidious and cowardly Western governments to fool, cajole and push his people into fighting a war that they cannot possibly win or to indulge in an unnecessary conflict with a neighbor that has a massive and all powerful conventional army and more nuclear weapons than any other nation in the world.

"A hero does not sacrifice his people on the alter of ego or as an offering to the Western powers.

"I blame Zelensky and his Western allies and friends for this unfolding tragedy, for every drop of Ukrainian blood that is being spilt and for the untold hardship and suffering that the great people of the Ukraine are being subjected to.

"The only heroes here are the Ukrainian people themselves, who have been saddled with an irresponsible, weak, egotistical, blind, reckless, stubborn and vainglorious president, who cannot differentiate between being an actor/comedian on the stage and being the president of a great and noble nation of 40 million people, who are depending on him to keep them safe and who look up to him to fight for their collective interest.

"Despite all the Western propaganda, in this respect Zelensky has failed woefully and miserably, because at the end of the day Ukraine will be brought to her knees and utterly crushed, shattered and broken.

"All this could have been avoided if her president had displayed a little humility and restraint from the outset and if he had not opted to dance to the tune of Joe Biden, Boris Johnson, Emmanuel Macron and all his other Western friends who later deserted him.

"What a shame!

"Never trust a man or woman who urges you to go into a war or to keep fighting a war that you cannot possibly win.

"Trust only those who seek the path of peace and urge you to make the reasonable compromises and necessary concessions.

"Can someone kindly whisper this wise counsel into the tiny ears of Volodymyr Zelensky who appears to have fallen in love with the applause and praises of the West and who refuses to do that which needs to be done to save his people from untold hardship and suffering."