Professor Bola Akinteriwa, a former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, has said that the Russian government may sanction Nigeria as the war against Ukraine rages on.
Speaking during a seminar entitled: “Russia-Ukraine War And The Imperatives of a New Global Order,” organized by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos State, Akinteriwa said the relationship between Nigeria and the Russian government may have been strained.
He said some factors may push the Russian government to take a sanctionary measure against the country.
According to him, Nigeria’s vote against Russia at the United Nations may have caught Russia’s interest and a sanction may follow.
He stated that the Federal government was being partisan when the Nigerian foreign minister said that Russia should withdraw troops from Ukraine.
“Two factors are most likely to impact on the relationship of Nigeria with Russia.
“Nigeria’s Foreign Minister said Russia should withdraw its troops. The implication of that is already partisan.
“You are now saying Russia is at fault. For the mere fact that you are saying withdraw simply means Russia is at fault.
“The second part is that Nigeria voted against Russia at the United Nations.
“In this case, Russia is most likely to reckon with those two factors and as a result take sanctionary measures against Nigeria,” he said.