Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to provide answers regarding the October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll Gate shooting, as Nigeria marks six years since the incident.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, raised the concerns in a statement commemorating the anniversary of the #EndSARS protests, questioning why the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain a subject of public concern.
He criticised Tinubu’s response following the incident, arguing that the focus should have been on accountability and the experiences of those affected rather than questioning the protesters who suffered casualties.
According to Atiku, Nigerians are still seeking clarity on who authorised the shooting and why the questions surrounding the incident have not been adequately resolved.
He also linked the anniversary to Nigeria’s current economic difficulties, citing rising fuel prices, transportation costs and declining purchasing power as challenges facing young people and working Nigerians.
Atiku described the situation as particularly troubling for workers whose salaries can no longer cover the cost of commuting to their workplaces. He recounted the experience of a young woman who reportedly resigned from her job because her earnings were insufficient to meet transportation expenses.
The former vice president argued that the economic pressures facing Nigerians have reduced opportunities for young people and made it increasingly difficult for workers to maintain their livelihoods.
He said his proposed Economic Recovery Plan would focus on making essential goods and services more affordable through measures aimed at supporting domestic fuel refining, boosting local production, protecting minimum-wage earners and providing assistance to students.
Atiku added that reducing government waste, rather than introducing additional taxes, would help fund the proposed interventions.
He maintained that Nigerians deserve transparency over the Lekki Toll Gate shooting and economic policies that improve living conditions, insisting that anniversary commemorations should be accompanied by meaningful efforts to address outstanding concerns.
The October 20 anniversary remains a significant date in Nigeria’s recent history, recalling the #EndSARS protests against police brutality and the controversy surrounding the shooting at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos in 2020.
