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EndSARS: Lekki Tollgate massacre will affect 2023 election – Nigerians vow

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As the EndSARS nationwide protest that led to the death of scores of Nigerian youths enters its second anniversary, Nigerians have questioned government’s sincerity towards its citizens, vowing that the gruesome event will affect the outcome of the 2023 general elections.

In fact, most Nigerians are of the opinion that the lives of the ordinary citizens does not (in any way) matter to those occupying government offices. They believe that politicians are only interested in keeping the power revolving around them and use the masses to climb to positions of power during elections.

Nigerians, mostly in the youth bracket, took to the streets during this period in 2020 to demonstrate police highhandedness, intimidation and cruelty against innocent citizens. They specifically demanded the ban on the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, unit of the Nigeria Police.

The protest, which started calmly and peacefully across the country was hijacked by thugs who began to destroy government facilities and inflicting injuries on the protesters.

The climax of the protest was when soldiers of the Nigerian Army were deployed in trucks and allegedly opened fire on the peaceful protesters.

By the order of military hierarchy “the soldiers invaded the Lekki tollgate on October 20, 2020 shot, injured and killed unarmed helpless and defenceless protesters, without provocation or justification, while they were waving the Nigerian Flag and singing the National Anthem” thereby committing a massacre, a judicial panel of inquiry set up by the State government found.

The panel also found that officers of the Nigeria Police Force who were deployed to the toll gate on the night of the incident “shot at, assaulted and battered unarmed protesters, which led to injuries and deaths,” thus aiding the army in the commission of a massacre on unarmed civilians.

The findings of the panel, which was released in 2021, put to rest repeated denials by the Army, the Nigerian government and the Lagos State government that a massacre was committed by the soldiers of the 65 Battalion of the 81 Garrison Division, Bonny Camp, led by Sanusi Ovada Bello, a lieutenant colonel.

The panel submitted two reports — one on police brutality cases and another on the Lekki incident investigation.

However, this was subject of controversy, especially with the Federal Government rejecting the panel report for inconsistencies.

And evoking the negative memories of the event recently, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, had insisted that no lives were lost during the Lekki tollgate gate incident.

Oluomo, who serves as the Chairman of Lagos Parks and Garages Management, made this claim while addressing supporters of the All Progressives Congress, APC, during their 5-million man march to support the candidacy of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in Lagos on Sunday.

The transport boss argued that it was not possible that there would have been killing of protesters and the corpses would not be found nor would the families of the deceased coming out to ask for their loved ones.

And as celebrities and organizers of the 2020 EndSARS protest concluded plans to hold a memorial in the Lekki area of Lagos State on Thursday, Nigerians on the streets of Abuja have expressed concerns over government’s insincerity to the populace.

The march is to commemorate the death of citizens, particularly youths who were allegedly massacred by the Nigerian army, at the Lekki Tollgate on Tuesday, October 20, 2020.

Speaking to DAILY POST on this matter, Bundesaan Terdue, a Lagos-based security expert, who has followed the EndSARS incident from the very beginning, said “It is unfortunate that no one takes responsibility for a disaster such as this. This is over two years after innocent citizens were killed no one whether in the army or in government have been made to pay.

“This government has been insincere. The people who were massacred, I say may their souls continue to rest in peace. They died for a good course. What else can we say? The government denied these people ever existed but their blood will continue to cry. It happened before our very eyes and CNN and international organisations saw it. They reported it and Twitter was banned for it. That is the government we’re in. The panel’s report was thrown aside and trampled upon and all the huge resources used for investigations became total waste. But let me tell you something, at the appointed time, the truth on what happened at Lekki Tollgate will surface.”

Speaking on the planned memorial for the victims and whether the government would provide security for the gathering, he added, “it is an unpredictable situation. My advice to the youths is they should make up their minds to change this set of politicians . They’re free to gather and hold a memorial service for their compatriots who died fighting for better country and a responsible government should provide security for the peaceful walk. But you never know.”

Eleveke James, a clothes trader at AMAC Market, said, “There is no atom of sincerity from the government regarding this EndSARS matter. First they denied that no one died. Can you remember when Babajide Fashola went to the scene of the event and took possession of a camera? Please what was the content of the camera? That’s what I’m saying. They set up a panel which exposed them and they thrashed the report. There is no sincerity. They have been lying to Nigerians.”

Asked if the EndSARS incident will affect the 2023 election, he added, “I don’t think.the youths will forget so easily. It would remain fresh in their heart. Remember how social media reacted when Labour Party listed General Enenche in its campaign council. I can tell you for free, EndSARS protest will affect 2023 election.”

Teniola Olu, who identified herself as a businesswoman, said, “We’ll keep remembering those innocent protesters in Lagos. I was among those that protested in Abuja here. At a point the government introduced their thugs and some of us went indoors.

“This particular government has never been sincere to the citizens. You said no one died but your panel of investigation said otherwise. Instead of adhering to the report, what you did was threw it away. Now, I’m telling the youths, don’t let these politicians buy your conscience in 2023. The only way we can immortalise those killed at Lekki Tollgate is to vote in the right people to bring about the desired change.”

“As we remember those fellow patriotic citizens killed by those who were supposed to be providing security for them, we’ll never forget. We knew how it all played out. 2023 is the moment for the youths to come together and speak in one voice,” Tessy Uche, a resident of Utako said.

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NLC Accuses Dangote, Oil Marketers Of Inflating Petrol Price In Nigeria

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The Nigeria Labour Congress has accused Dangote Group and oil marketers of ganging up to rip Nigerians off in the Premium Motor Spirit (Petrol) pricing.

NLC disclosed this in a communiqué on Sunday after its National Executive Council Meeting held on Friday.

The Union noted that the current price of petrol, which stood between N1060 and N1,200 per litre, is higher than the market value.

According to the NLC, the high petrol price in Nigeria is an indication of the prevalence of cost padding and abnormal margins in the country’s oil and gas sector at the detriment of Nigerians.

The Union called on the Nigerian government to immediately activate the Port Harcourt refinery takeoff and other government-owned refineries.

“The NEC-in-session noted with increasing dismay the shenanigans around the appropriate pricing of petrol (PMS) in Nigeria.

“It was observed that there may be a gang-up against Nigerians by fat cats in the industry as the current price of the product
is significantly higher than the real market price.

“Padding of costs and abnormal margins seems to be the order of the day considering the revelations from the
ongoing controversy between Marketers and Dangote Group.

“It is entirely possible that Nigerian workers and masses are being ripped off by those who control the levers of economic power in Nigeria, which explains why the domestic public refineries may not immediately be allowed to come on stream.

“NLC demands appropriate pricing of petrol and calls for the public domestic refineries in PH, Warri, and Kaduna to quickly come back on stream to break up the monopolistic stranglehold the big players have on the industry,” NLC stated.

Recall that in the past days, Petroleum marketers and Dangote Refinery have been enmeshed in controversy over petrol pricing.

JomogNews reports that Dangote Group had announced that its petrol was sold at N960 and N990 per litre.

However, Petroleum Marketers had insisted that imported petrol is cheaper than Dangote Petrol.

But Dangote Refinery accused petrol marketers of importing cheap and substandard fuel, which was denied.

Recent data from the Major Energies Marketers Association showed that the landing cost of imported petrol stood at N971 per litre.

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Just In: Army Chief Oluyede Storms Sokoto Over New Terrorist Group Emergence

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The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has arrived in Sokoto for his first operational visit to the 8th Division Area of Responsibility, JomogNews Nigeria.

During his visit, Oluyede is expected to meet with the Sultan of Sokoto and engage with other key stakeholders within the division’s jurisdiction.

As part of the visit, the Army Chief will address troops participating in Operation Fasan Yamma, the ongoing military operation combating terrorist activities in the northwest region.

Oluyede’s arrival in Sokoto comes just three days after the Defence Headquarters confirmed the emergence of a new terror group known as ‘Lakurawa,’ which has been causing unrest in Sokoto and Kebbi states.

Five local government areas in Sokoto State have been identified as areas affected by the activities of this group.

Defence Media Operations Director, Major General Edward Buba, stated that while the Lakurawa group is contributing to the rising insecurity in the North-West, the Armed Forces of Nigeria are actively working to contain their threat and ensure stability in the region.

“Troops are confronted with a new terrorist sect in the North-West. This sect is known as Lakuwaras, the Lakuwaras are affiliated to terrorists in the Sahel particularly from Mali and Niger Republic.

“They began incursion into Northern part of Nigeria, mainly Sokoto and Kebbi states, and like I mentioned, they came in from Niger and Mali axis,” General Buba said.

He added that the new terror group emerged from Mali and the Republic of Niger after the coup that led to the breakdown of military cooperation between Nigeria and Niger.

The military also declared nine terrorists wanted for their roles in the security challenges bedevilling the nation.

 

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Obaseki Has Escaped, Whereabouts Unknown – Edo Gov-Elect, Okpebholo Alleges

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Edo State Governor-elect, Senator Monday Okpebholo has expressed concern over what he described as Godwin Obaseki’s bizarre public displays.

He claimed that Obaseki has disappeared from the state.

In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday and signed by Godspower Inegbe, Okpebholo said Edo people are worried by Obaseki’s reckless statements and urged him to evaluate his state of mind.

The Governor-Elect in the statement raised the alarm regarding the whereabouts of Obaseki, who he claimed reportedly fled Benin City, the Edo State capital, using a disguised bus.

The statement revealed that Obaseki chased out everyone from the Government House on Friday before escaping to a yet-to-be known location more than 72 hours before his official departure from office.

The statement further noted that Obaseki is making the false claims to shift attention away from his sinister plans to leave the country through the land borders.

“As of Friday, 8th of November, the whereabouts of Obaseki is unknown. He has chased everyone out of Edo State Government House. He has abandoned governance in the State, and he is on the run.

“He has escaped through the road out of Benin. He did not pass through the airport. If he is as popular as he claims, why did he not use the airport to escape? Instead, he hired a bus and disguised while escaping from Edo State.

“Obaseki is trying to push out these narratives in order to distract the public. His antics will not work. We know his plans, and we will continue to expose his shenanigans to Edo people,” the statement read.

Obaseki, on Saturday, claimed that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to his inauguration, slated for next Tuesday.

“According to the unpopular outgoing governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo stole the mandate freely given to him by Edo people.

“In his usual myopic mind, he wants to change the narratives and set a dangerous precedent,” Okpebholo noted in a statement.

The Governor-Elect said he won the elections convincingly and added that the tribunal will soon validate his claims.

He said Obaseki would not get away with the reckless claims.

“Obaseki will not get away with this misrepresentation. Senator Monday Okpebholo, the Governor-Elect of Edo State, won the 21st September governorship election in Edo State.

“Obaseki is still licking his wounds of defeat and is yet to accept the reality. Edo people, through the ballot, rejected the planned continuation of Obaseki’s satanic government through his glorified stooge, Asue Ighodalo,” he mocked Obaseki.

Okpebholo said Obaseki is trying to influence the outcome of the ongoing case at the tribunal by making false claims.

He said the attempt will fail like a pack of cards.

He said: “The Peoples Democratic Party is already challenging the outcome of the election in court. We are therefore worried that Obaseki is in a hurry to pre-empt the outcome of the tribunal by repeatedly making false claims.

“Unfortunately for Obaseki, his baseless claims will not stand. The Peoples Democratic Party and its candidate, Ighodalo, have no case against Senator Okpebholo. The tribunal will soon confirm that.”

He warned Obaseki to desist from making false claims and reminded him of severe consequences that may follow if he does not stop.

Senator Okpebholo reminded Obaseki that he will soon lose his immunity and will therefore be forced to face the full wrath of the law if he does not retrace his steps.

“Although Senator Okpebholo is a man of peace, we will not sit back and allow him to keep misrepresenting the true outcome of what happened on the 21st of September.

“Obaseki will soon lose his immunity and if he continues to make his baseless claims, he will face the full wrath of the law very soon and he will prove his unfounded allegations when he is dragged to court,” Okpebholo warned in the statement.

Reacting to another claim by Obaseki that he was not invited to attend the inauguration slated for next Tuesday, Okpebholo described it as laughable, absurd, and questionable.

He said that since he won the election, Obaseki has employed every means to frustrate a peaceful transfer of power.

The Governor-elect noted that Obaseki has not extended any invitation to him for a meeting or a tour of the Government House.

The statement read: “Again, Obaseki also claimed that Senator Okpebholo did not invite him to the inauguration, slated for next Tuesday. This is laughable, absurd, and questionable. Since Senator Okpebholo was declared winner, Obaseki has employed every means to frustrate a peaceful transfer of power.

“As a sitting Governor, Obaseki should tell Edo people and Nigerians if he has ever invited the Governor-Elect, Senator Okpebholo to Government House for a meeting or a tour as a responsible man. Has Obaseki called Senator Okpebholo to congratulate him since he won the election?

“Obaseki should cover his face in shame, account for the billions he has misappropriated, and apologise to Edo people for under-developing the State in the last eight years.

“We urge Edo people to disregard Obaseki’s reckless statements and support the incoming administration of Senator Okpebholo to remedy the many wrongs of this government.”

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