Peter Obi, the former Anambra State governor, has commemorated the sixth anniversary of the October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll Gate shootings, calling on Nigerians to never forget the incident or allow injustice to become normalised. In a statement on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, Obi emphasised that the country must ensure citizens are protected and young people can demand good governance without being brutalised.
Obi’s Statement on the Anniversary
Obi described the anniversary as a reminder of the sacrifices Nigerian youths made in their demand for a better country. He wrote, “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. We must never forget. We must never normalise injustice.”
He called for a Nigeria where government power is exercised responsibly and with respect for human rights, adding that no citizen should be punished for demanding good governance. Obi concluded, “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,” and reiterated his belief in a “New Nigeria” where every life matters.
Tinubu’s 2020 Remarks Resurface
The anniversary has renewed attention on comments made by President Bola Tinubu in the aftermath of the shootings in 2020, when he was a prominent leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a televised interview following the incident, Tinubu questioned the conduct of protesters who had suffered casualties, asking what they were doing at the scene and how long they had been there, as well as what kind of character they were.
These remarks, preserved in a Channels Television interview published on October 21, 2020, became part of the wider public debate over how political leaders responded to the shootings and the protesters’ demands. Tinubu also denied having any financial interest in the Lekki Toll Gate or the company managing it, amid claims circulating at the time about his alleged connection to the toll facility.
Context of the #EndSARS Protests
The #EndSARS protests began as a youth-led movement against police brutality, extortion and alleged extrajudicial killings by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The demonstrations grew into broader calls for police reform and accountability.
On October 20, 2020, soldiers opened fire on protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate. The circumstances surrounding the shooting, the number of people killed and the question of accountability have remained subjects of public debate and investigation. Six years later, Obi’s message has renewed calls to remember those affected and ensure that citizens can exercise their rights without fear of violence.
