Peter Obi reacts to Bisi Akande’s allegations that #EndSARS protests was targeted at Tinubu
Peter Obi reacts to Bisi Akande’s allegations that #EndSARS protests was targeted at Tinubu
Former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande’s claims that Obi’s supporters, known as the Obidient Movement, planned the 2020 #EndSARS protests to thwart Bola Tinubu’s presidential aspirations have been sharply criticised by Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate.
In a statement to PUNCH, Obi’s media aide, Umar Ibrahim, refuted Akande’s accusations, labeling them as not only factually incorrect but also deeply insensitive to the victims of the protests.
The controversy stems from a recent podcast appearance by Akande, where he alleged that the #EndSARS protests were part of a larger, well-funded conspiracy orchestrated by the Obidient Movement.
Akande suggested the movement, allegedly supported by foreign funding, was aimed at derailing Tinubu’s rise to power.
“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,” Akande stated during the interview.
He further added, “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.”
Obi’s representative, however, swiftly rejected Akande’s narrative, asserting that it was a deliberate attempt to rewrite history and mislead the public.
Ibrahim stressed that Akande’s comments were not only unfounded but also disrespectful to the memories of those who lost their lives during the #EndSARS protests, which were a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s struggle for justice and police reform.
“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,” Ibrahim stated
“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.”
In a statement, titled ‘’The Tenure of IGP Egbetokun: The Controversy over the Extension of Tenure,’’ Ehindero also said President Bola Tinubu reserved the right to decided who to work with as IGP.
‘’In the case of Egbetokun, I know him very well, he was the ADC to President Tinubu while I was the Assistant Inspector General of Police in Zone 2, Lagos and Ogun states while Mr. Okiro was the Commissioner of Police of Lagos State in the year 2001.
‘’If President Tinubu chooses to work with him for the duration of four years and that is backed by law, so be it. He is his choice. You cannot by any yardstick say Egbetokun is incompetent or not qualified for the job.
‘’Competence backed by law should be the overriding factor in the appointment and tenure of an Inspector General of Police. Let Egbetokun serve his four years tenure extension in peace. He deserves it by virtue of his competence, performance and academic qualifications,’’ Ehindero said.
Speaking further, he said: ‘’The extension of the tenure of Inspectors General of Police had always been controversial. My tenure extensions twice in 2005 for one year beginning from March 2006 and 2007 for three months were not without controversies.
‘’In fact, the President and I were taken to court for my tenure elongation. At the end of the day, the court ruled that it was a non-issue and dismissed the case. At that time in 2006, there were no legislations in relation to the tenure elongation of an Inspector General of Police other than the Civil Service Rules and the Police Act and Regulation, CAP 359, Laws of The Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
‘’Ever since, there had been series of legislation permitting the elongation of the service of an Inspector General of Police. You have the Police Act,2020 and the Police Amended Act 2024. The latter Act of 2024 allows the Inspector General of Police to enjoy an uninterrupted tenure of four years irrespective of his age of over sixty years or thirty-five years’ service.
‘’I agree with Mr. Okiro, Inspector General of Police Rtd when he said, for reasons of policy implementation, the need to prevent a competent Inspector General of Police from spending ten months or less than two years, as some have done in the past, because of age, the four-year tenure for the Inspector General of Police is welcomed. In which case there will be no policy somersault. ‘’As regards those officers that are aggrieved in relation to the tenure elongation, the crisis is accentuated by the bastardisation and the confusion about the date of enlistment and the date of appointment.
‘’How these could be mixed up is unfathomed by me. If you enlisted as a constable, and acquired, in the course of your service, academic credentials that qualify you to be appointed as a Superior Police Officer, your date of enlistment supersedes your date of appointment.”
‘’No doubt about this. On attaining 60 years of age or 35 years in service you must retire. The date of enlistment supersedes the date of appointment. Of course, for those appointed as Assistant Superintendent of Police who had never served in the force, the dates of enlistment coincide with their dates of appointment.
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Why I stepped aside as Lagos Assembly Speaker – Meranda’s full resignation speech
Why I stepped aside as Lagos Assembly Speaker – Meranda’s full resignation speech
I wish to let every one of you know that I have made a personal sacrifice towards resolving the leadership crisis rocking the Lagos State House of Assembly.
I recognise the role my family has played and continues to play in entrenching democracy, good governance, and the betterment of our people. I will never depart from the well-established path of honor, dignity, integrity, and service as personified by my late father.
Please permit me, dear colleagues, to restate my position as expressed in the newspaper publication, where I stated as follows: It is with heavy responsibility that I wish to resign my position as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly with effect from this day, March 3, 2025. I took this decision carefully and with firm consideration. On one hand, I accepted the position of Speaker on January 13, 2025, and on the other hand, I resigned the position as it is threatening the democracy of this House.
As good people of Lagos, our mandate is to protect the good people of Lagos State and ensure good governance.
I feel that I have demonstrated leadership and selfless sacrifice by resigning in order to protect these resources that we have suffered to build. With your unwavering support, I take this step to step down as the Speaker of the House of Assembly.
I cherish the solidarity that I have enjoyed and that has been given to me by my honorable members. I do not leave out the management and staff of the Lagos State House of Assembly. I want to thank you for your support and collaboration.
As short as it is, this is a memorable event. I need you to permit me to resign as the Rt. Honorable Speaker, and I shall continue to serve my good people of Apapa Constituency 1 in particular and the entire Lagos State in general.
Thank you for finding me worthy to lead this distinguished and honourable Assembly. I am not a quitter; however, I took this bold decision in order to save this legislative institution from further unnecessary conflict and embarrassment.
Police restore Meranda’s security detail, explain withdrawal
Accordingly, I have agreed to yet again make a personal sacrifice by stepping down as the Speaker of this great Assembly.
Dear distinguished and gallant honourable members of this 10th Assembly, occasionally, we are confronted by overwhelming challenges and conflicts, but as responsible leaders, we must not break down the legislative House that we collectively built in pursuit of justice and fairness.
For those who have been unfairly referred to for standing on the side of fair play, kindly take note that there will always be an opportunity to right any wrong.
I appreciate the spectrum of solidarity that I received through phone calls, messages, and visits throughout my short tenure.
I sincerely thank you for your understanding and support, just as we know that party decisions are supreme.
At this point, I take a bow as your Speaker, and I step down as your Speaker for this great House.
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BREAKING; President Tinubu approves 11 Universities (see full list and locations)
BREAKING; President Tinubu approves 11 Universities (see full list and locations)
The Federal Executive Council (FEC), at its third meeting of the year on Monday, approved provisional licenses for 11 private universities in the country.
Dr Morufu Alausa, the Minister of Education, said this while briefing State House Correspondents after the FEC meeting.
He said the universities approved were: New City University, Ayetoro Ogun; University of Fortune, Igbotako, Ondo State; Eranova University, Mabushi; Minaret University, Ikirun, Osun Annex and Abubakar Toyin University, Oke-Agba, Kwara.
Others are: Southern Atlantic University Uyo, Akwa Ibom; Lens University, ilemona, Kwara; Monarch University, Iyesi-Ota, Ogun; Tonnie Iredia University of Communication, Benin City; Isaac Balami University of Aeronautics and Management, Lagos and Kevin Eze University, Mgbowo, Enugu State.
Alausa said the administration of President Bola Tinubu was Committed to expanding the frontiers of educational opportunities and infrastructure, hence the approval of the new universities. (NAN)