Mathew Amaechi
Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, has slammed former Osun State governor Bisi Akande for claiming that the 2020 #EndSARS protests were orchestrated by Obi’s supporters to derail President Bola Tinubu’s ambition.
Obi, along with the Obidient Movement, describes Akande’s narrative as a blatant attempt to rewrite history, as insensitive to the memories of #EndSARS victims who lost their lives.
The #EndSARS protests, which lasted from October 7 to 20, 2020, began as a demand to disband the notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad but soon escalated into calls for good governance. The protests were marked by confrontations between protesters and security agents, particularly in Lagos State, where soldiers allegedly opened fire on unarmed protesters at the Lekki Tollgate.
Akande’s claims, made in a recent podcast, allege that the Obidient Movement was behind the #EndSARS protests, funded by foreign donations. However, Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, and the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Tanko Yunusa, have vehemently denied these claims, describing them as misleading, divisive, and insulting to the memories of #EndSARS victims.
The Obidient Movement has reiterated its commitment to promoting good governance, accountability, and inclusive development, emphasizing that the #EndSARS protests were a spontaneous response to widespread discontent among Nigerian youth regarding police brutality, corruption, and economic inequality.