The 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, monarch of the United Kingdom died on Thursday.
The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, on Saturday said Nigerians have no business mourning the late British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II.
Sowore said this following a directive by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Nigerian government that all flags at the government offices in Nigeria and abroad be flown at half-mast on Sunday and Monday to honour the late British monarch.
The 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth II, monarch of the United Kingdom died on Thursday.
The Buhari government had described the late Queen as an iconic leader who exhibited great strength of purpose throughout her reign in the United Kingdom and as Head of the Commonwealth.
A statement by the Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola, and another by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokesperson, Francisca Omayuli, on Saturday had confirmed the directive.
Reacting, Sowore condemned the directive, saying the Nigerian government didn’t represent its citizens and was living in the past.
He said, "A bunch of "trousered negroes" from FGN are planning to fly the national flag at "half-mast" to mourn the Queen of England, #Queen Elizabeth ll. These guys don't represent Nigerians, they're living in the past. We have no business mourning the Queen! #WeCantContinueLikeThis."