Presidential candidate Peter Obi has strongly refuted former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande’s explosive allegations linking the 2020 #EndSARS protests to Obi’s supporters, sparking fresh debate about one of Nigeria’s most significant social movements. The controversy erupted following Akande’s recent podcast appearance, where he claimed the protests were orchestrated by “Obidients” to derail President Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambitions.
Speaking through his media aide, Umar Ibrahim, Obi denounced Akande’s statements as a misrepresentation of historical events and criticized them for being particularly insensitive to the memories of those who lost their lives during the protests. The Labour Party candidate’s response emphasizes the spontaneous nature of the #EndSARS movement, which began as a campaign against police brutality before evolving into broader demands for good governance.
The historical context of the #EndSARS protests spans from October 7 to 20, 2020, marked by nationwide demonstrations that initially focused on disbanding the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a police unit notorious for alleged human rights violations. These protests reached a tragic climax at Lagos State’s Lekki Tollgate, where security forces allegedly opened fire on unarmed protesters.
Akande’s controversial statements, made during Edmund Obilo’s podcast, suggested that the movement was manufactured in America and heavily funded through foreign donations. The former governor specifically pointed to the Obidients, though he carefully distinguished between the movement and Peter Obi himself, claiming the protests were part of a calculated effort to impede Tinubu’s presidential aspirations.
The Labour Party’s rebuttal, delivered through Ibrahim, characterizes the Obidient movement as a grassroots phenomenon driven by Nigerians’ genuine desire for positive change. Their response emphasizes the movement’s focus on promoting good governance, accountability, and inclusive development, distinct from the specific grievances that sparked the #EndSARS protests.
This exchange highlights ongoing tensions in Nigerian politics regarding the interpretation of recent historical events and their impact on current political dynamics. The controversy touches on sensitive issues including youth activism, political mobilization, and the role of social movements in shaping Nigeria’s democratic landscape.
The debate surrounding Akande’s claims reflects broader discussions about the nature of political movements in Nigeria and their relationships to established power structures. It also raises questions about the interpretation of social protests and their political implications in Nigeria’s evolving democratic context.
The timing of these allegations, coming after the 2023 elections, adds another layer of complexity to the political narrative. It suggests continuing efforts to shape public understanding of recent events and their impact on Nigeria’s political landscape.
Critics of Akande’s position argue that attributing the #EndSARS protests to political machinations diminishes the legitimate grievances that drove thousands of young Nigerians to the streets. They maintain that such interpretations risk oversimplifying complex social movements and potentially delegitimizing genuine expressions of civil dissent.
This controversy emerges against the backdrop of ongoing national discussions about police reform, good governance, and youth participation in politics. The exchange between Obi and Akande represents more than a mere political disagreement; it reflects deeper tensions about how recent history should be interpreted and understood.
As this debate unfolds, it highlights the continuing impact of the #EndSARS protests on Nigerian political discourse and the various ways political actors seek to frame and interpret significant social movements. The controversy underscores the importance of maintaining accurate historical records while respecting the memories of those affected by such pivotal events in Nigeria’s recent history.
