Former Anambra State governor and 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticized former Osun State governor Bisi Akande over his claim that the 2020 #EndSARS protests were orchestrated by Obi’s supporters, known as the Obidient Movement, to derail President Bola Tinubu’s political ambition.
Obi and the Obidient Movement rejected Akande’s claims, stating that they were an attempt to rewrite history and dismiss the struggles of Nigerians who participated in the protests. They also noted that Akande’s remarks were insensitive to the victims of #EndSARS, especially those who lost their lives.
The #EndSARS protests, which lasted from October 7 to October 20, 2020, began as a call to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) due to allegations of police brutality. However, it quickly evolved into a broader movement demanding good governance and accountability. The protests gained nationwide support but faced violent crackdowns from security forces, with reports of shootings, especially at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos.
In a recent podcast hosted by broadcaster Edmund Obilo, Akande alleged that the Obidient Movement was behind the protests, claiming they were funded from abroad.
He stated, “The Obidients were behind the #EndSARS. It was manufactured in America and brought in just to stop him (Tinubu). I said the Obidients, I didn’t say Obi. They came from America to do the #EndSARS and later became a movement to form a party. They couldn’t form a party. It was well planned and organised with a lot of money from America.”
Reacting to this, Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, dismissed Akande’s statements as misleading and divisive.
He said, “The allegations are not only misleading but also divisive. It is unfortunate Akande would suggest that the Obidient Movement was behind the #EndSARS protests, and even more astonishing that he would imply it was orchestrated to prevent a particular individual from becoming President.
“Well, let me be clear: the movement is a grassroots phenomenon that emerged organically, driven by the passion and dedication of Nigerians who are committed to creating a better future for our country. It’s a movement that transcends partisan politics and is focused on promoting good governance, accountability, and inclusive development.”
Ibrahim further noted that the #EndSARS protests were a spontaneous reaction to police brutality, corruption, and economic struggles faced by young Nigerians, rather than a politically motivated scheme. He urged Akande to avoid making unverified statements that could divide the nation.
Similarly, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, Tanko Yunusa, described Akande’s remarks as disrespectful to the memory of the protest victims.
He said, “The Obidient movement outright rejects the baseless and revisionist claim by former Governor Bisi Akande. His false narrative is not only an insult to the memory of the young Nigerians who lost their lives in the fight against police brutality but also a desperate attempt to rewrite history and shift blame for the government’s failures.”
Yunusa reiterated that #EndSARS was not a political movement but a call for justice, led by Nigerian youths who wanted an end to police brutality and systemic oppression. He urged Akande to focus on real issues affecting Nigerians, such as economic hardship, insecurity, and unemployment, rather than making statements that distort historical facts.
