The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called for a Nigeria where citizens can demand good governance without facing punishment, as he marked six years since the October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll Gate shootings.
Obi made the call in a statement published on X on Tuesday, describing the anniversary as a painful reminder of the sacrifices made by young Nigerians who protested against police brutality and demanded a better country.
“Nigeria must become a nation where no citizen is punished for demanding good governance and a better future,” Obi said.
Reflecting on the events of October 20, 2020, the former Anambra State governor said peaceful protesters were met with gunfire, leaving people dead and others injured. He noted that the incident raised serious questions about justice, accountability and the value placed on human life.
“On that fateful night, peaceful #EndSARS protesters were met with gunfire. Lives were lost, many were injured, and the nation was left with questions about justice, accountability, and the sanctity of human life.”
Obi urged Nigerians not to forget the victims or allow injustice to become accepted as normal.
“We must never forget. We must never normalise injustice,” he said.
Obi Renews Call for a New Nigeria
The NDC presidential candidate said the anniversary had strengthened his belief in the possibility of building a “New Nigeria” where citizens are protected, young people can express their concerns freely, and public officials exercise power responsibly.
He stressed that government institutions must respect human rights and ensure that Nigerians can peacefully demand accountability without fear of violence or intimidation.
“As we remember the victims, I reaffirm my belief that a New Nigeria is possible—a country where citizens are protected, not brutalised; where young people are heard, not silenced; and where government power is exercised with responsibility and respect for human rights.”
Obi also prayed for those who lost their lives during the incident, saying their sacrifice should inspire renewed efforts to prevent similar tragedies.
“May the souls of the departed continue to rest in peace. May their sacrifice strengthen our resolve to build a Nigeria where this tragedy will never be repeated,” he said.
He concluded by reiterating his vision of a country where every life is valued and citizens can demand better governance without being subjected to violence.
Judicial Panel Report on Lekki Toll Gate Shootings
The anniversary comes amid continued calls for justice and accountability over the events at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos.
A 2021 report by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry found that Nigerian Army officers shot, injured and killed unarmed protesters at the toll gate. The panel said the nature of the assault and killings could be described as a massacre in context.
According to a report by Vanguard, the panel identified at least 48 protesters who were shot, injured or assaulted during the incident.
The #EndSARS protests began in 2020 as a nationwide movement against police brutality, particularly abuses attributed to the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). Demonstrators also called for broader reforms in policing and governance.
