Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government over what he described as its failure to provide clear answers on who authorised the shooting of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on October 20, 2020.

Atiku, in a statement shared on his X handle on Tuesday, said Nigerians were still waiting for accountability six years after the incident, which became one of the most controversial episodes of the nationwide #EndSARS protests against police brutality.

“Six years after the Lekki shooting, Nigeria is still waiting for a clear answer to one devastating question: Who gave the order?” he asked.

The ADC presidential candidate also criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s response to the incident in October 2020, arguing that attention appeared to have been directed towards questioning the presence and conduct of the protesters rather than establishing accountability for the violence and reported casualties.

According to Atiku, the continued public outcry over the incident reflects the lingering grief, anger and distrust among Nigerians, particularly young people who had demanded justice and accountability.

He maintained that the APC, having governed the country during the period since the incident, should address the unanswered questions surrounding the shooting rather than allow the matter to remain unresolved in the public consciousness.

“The APC has governed Nigeria through these six years. It cannot keep asking Nigerians to remember the dead while refusing to confront the unanswered questions,” Atiku said.

He added that any government that failed to reassure citizens that their lives mattered had neglected one of its fundamental responsibilities.

Atiku Links Lekki Incident to Economic Hardship

Beyond the question of accountability, Atiku linked the lingering concerns surrounding the Lekki shooting to the economic difficulties confronting young Nigerians, citing rising petrol prices, declining purchasing power and diminishing employment opportunities.

He argued that the increasing cost of living had made it more difficult for ordinary Nigerians to meet essential needs, including transportation, food, education and housing.

Atiku specifically cited petrol selling at ₦1,405 per litre as an illustration of the financial pressure facing households and workers.

“The APC promised renewal. For too many Nigerians, the experience has been rising costs, shrinking opportunity and a future pushed further out of reach,” he said.

To illustrate the impact of the economic situation on workers, the former vice president recounted the experience of a young woman who allegedly resigned from her job because her salary could no longer cover her transportation expenses.

He quoted the woman as saying, “The pay no longer covers transport. Everything in Nigeria just dey increase in price. Feels like I’m working for Bolt guys.”

Atiku described the account as an indication of the growing difficulties faced by workers who struggle to maintain their employment because of rising transportation costs and other living expenses.

He argued that employment should provide citizens with a reasonable standard of living rather than leave them struggling to afford the cost of getting to work.

ADC Candidate Highlights Economic Recovery Plan

The ADC presidential candidate also used the occasion to highlight his proposed Economic Recovery Plan, which he said was designed to make life more affordable for Nigerians and improve economic opportunities.

According to Atiku, the proposed measures include support linked to domestically refined fuel, increased local production, protection for minimum-wage earners, assistance for students and reductions in government waste.

He maintained that addressing the country’s economic difficulties would require policies that improve household purchasing power, encourage productive activities and create an environment in which employment offers a pathway to financial stability.

Atiku said young Nigerians deserved more than promises of economic renewal, insisting that they needed practical measures capable of improving their living conditions and restoring confidence in the country’s future.

‘Young Nigerians Deserve the Truth’

Reiterating his call for accountability, Atiku said the government must address the questions surrounding the Lekki shooting while also confronting the economic challenges affecting millions of Nigerians.

“Young Nigerians deserve the truth about Lekki. They deserve a government that protects life, and an economy that gives work a chance to lead somewhere,” he said.

He added that Nigerians had every right to question the government over what he described as the absence of satisfactory answers concerning the incident and the limited economic opportunities available to young people.

The October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll Gate incident remains a significant part of Nigeria’s recent history, particularly in discussions about police accountability, citizens’ rights and the relationship between government and young people.

Atiku’s latest comments have brought renewed attention to the demand for accountability over the incident, alongside broader concerns about the cost of living, unemployment and the economic prospects of young Nigerians.

His remarks underscore two issues he considers central to the country’s future: the need to address unresolved questions surrounding the #EndSARS protests and the need for economic policies that allow Nigerians to earn a living without being overwhelmed by the rising cost of survival.