The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has urged the Nigerian government to protect citizens, respect human rights and ensure that young people can express their concerns without fear of intimidation.
Obi made the call on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, while commemorating the sixth anniversary of the Lekki Toll Gate shootings that occurred during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
In a statement marking the anniversary, the former Anambra State governor urged Nigerians not to forget the incident or allow injustice to become accepted as normal in society.
He also reiterated his belief that Nigeria can achieve good governance and build a better future for its citizens.
Obi described the anniversary as a painful reminder of the sacrifices made by young Nigerians who took to the streets to demand a better country.
He said peaceful protesters were met with gunfire on the night of October 20, 2020, leaving deaths, injuries and unresolved questions about justice and accountability.
“We must never forget. We must never normalise injustice,” Obi stated.
The NDC presidential candidate said Nigeria should become a country where citizens are protected rather than brutalised and where young people are listened to rather than silenced.
He further stressed that government officials must exercise their powers responsibly and uphold human rights at all times.
According to Obi, no Nigerian should face punishment for demanding good governance or advocating a better future for the country.
While paying tribute to those who lost their lives, he expressed hope that their sacrifice would strengthen the country’s determination to prevent similar incidents from happening again.
“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,” he said.
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Obi concluded by reaffirming his belief that a better Nigeria is possible, insisting that every citizen’s life should matter.
The #EndSARS movement began as a campaign against police brutality, extortion and alleged extrajudicial killings associated with the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force. It later developed into nationwide youth protests demanding police reform and greater accountability from government authorities.
