The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has criticised 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 the presidential ambition of Bola Tinubu.
While speaking on a podcast recently, Akande claimed that the protests were a coordinated effort by Obidients, supported by foreign funding, to prevent Tinubu from becoming the President of Nigeria
“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,” Akande alleged
Reacting to his claim, Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim. dismissed Akande’s remarks as an attempt to distort history, emphasising that such claims were not only misleading but also insensitive to the memory of #EndSARS victims.
“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.
The #EndSARS protests, on the other hand, were a spontaneous response to the widespread discontent and frustration among Nigerian youth regarding issues of police brutality, corruption, and economic inequality. It’s a testament to the resilience and determination of our young people, who are demanding a more just and equitable society.
To conflate these two distinct phenomena is not only inaccurate but also unfair to the millions of Nigerians who are genuinely committed to creating positive change. We urge former governor Akande to refrain from making unsubstantiated claims that can only serve to further polarise our society.” Umar said