Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate has slammed former Osun State governor Bisi Akande.
This comes after Akande alleged that the 2020 #EndSARS protests were orchestrated by Obi’s supporters, known as the Obidient Movement, to derail Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition.
Obi and the Obidient Movement dismissed Akande’s claims as an attempt to distort history, calling them insensitive to the victims of #EndSARS, especially those who lost their lives.
Recall that the #EndSARS protests, which took place between October 7 and 20, 2020, began as a call to disband the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) but soon escalated into a broader demand for good governance.
The protests were marked by clashes with security forces, most notably at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos, where soldiers allegedly fired on unarmed demonstrators.
In a podcast hosted by broadcaster Edmund Obilo, Akande claimed the #EndSARS movement was orchestrated by Obidients and funded with foreign donations to prevent Tinubu from becoming president.
He alleged, “The Obidients were behind #EndSARS. It was manufactured in America and brought in just to stop him (Tinubu). It was well planned and organized with a lot of money from America.”
In response, Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, dismissed Akande’s statements as misleading and divisive. He stated, “The allegations are not only misleading but also unfair. The Obidient Movement is a grassroots-driven movement focused on good governance, accountability, and inclusive development. #EndSARS, on the other hand, was a spontaneous outcry against police brutality and systemic oppression.”
Similarly, Tanko Yunusa, the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement Worldwide, condemned Akande’s remarks as an insult to the memory of #EndSARS victims. He asserted, “#EndSARS was a youth-led movement demanding justice and an end to police brutality, not a political tool. Rather than rewriting history, Akande should focus on addressing the real issues Nigerians face today—economic hardship, insecurity, and bad governance.”
The Obidient Movement has urged Akande to refrain from making unverified claims that could further divide the country.
