Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government over unresolved questions surrounding the October 20, 2020 Lekki shooting and the rising cost of living in Nigeria.
Atiku said Nigerians were still waiting for accountability over the shooting of #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos, questioning who authorised the use of force against demonstrators.
In a post on his X handle on Tuesday, the former vice president said the incident remained a painful reminder of the need for transparency and accountability in government.
“Six years after the Lekki shooting, Nigeria is still waiting for a clear answer to one devastating question: Who gave the order?” Atiku asked.
Atiku Criticises Government’s Response to Lekki Shooting
Atiku also faulted President Bola Tinubu’s response to the incident in October 2020, arguing that attention appeared to have shifted towards questioning the protesters’ presence and conduct rather than establishing accountability for the violence.
He said public anger over the incident reflected lingering grief and distrust, particularly among young Nigerians who had demanded justice following the shooting.
According to Atiku, the APC has governed Nigeria throughout the six-year period and should address the outstanding questions surrounding the incident.
“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,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate added that protecting citizens’ lives and ensuring accountability were fundamental responsibilities of any government.
Atiku Raises Alarm Over Petrol Price, Cost of Living
Beyond the Lekki shooting, Atiku linked the lingering demand for justice to the economic difficulties confronting young Nigerians, including rising transportation costs, declining purchasing power and limited employment opportunities.
He cited a petrol price of ₦1,405 per litre, saying the cost of fuel had made it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to afford transportation, food, education and housing.
“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.
Atiku illustrated the pressure on workers with the account of a young woman who reportedly 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.”
The former vice president said the account highlighted the growing financial strain on employed Nigerians, some of whom, he argued, could no longer afford the cost of travelling to work.
Atiku Promotes Economic Recovery Plan
Atiku said his proposed Economic Recovery Plan was designed to make life more affordable for Nigerians and ease the pressure on households and workers.
He listed measures including support linked to domestically refined fuel, increased local production, protection for minimum-wage earners, student support and reductions in government waste.
According to him, these interventions would help improve purchasing power, expand economic opportunities and ensure that employment offers workers a reasonable standard of living.
However, the proposals remain Atiku’s stated policy positions, and their potential impact would depend on their design, funding and implementation.
Young Nigerians Deserve Justice and Economic Opportunities — Atiku
Atiku maintained that young Nigerians deserved both answers about the Lekki shooting and an economy that enabled them to build sustainable livelihoods.
“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 the right to question the government over unresolved concerns about the shooting and the limited economic opportunities available to young people.
The October 20, 2020 incident occurred during the #EndSARS protests against police brutality and demands for police reform. The Lekki shooting has remained a major point of public debate over the use of force against protesters, accountability and the government’s response to the demonstrations.
Atiku’s latest comments combine renewed calls for accountability over the incident with criticism of the economic conditions facing Nigerians, particularly young people and low-income workers.