Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government over unresolved questions surrounding the October 20, 2020, Lekki shooting and the rising cost of living. In a post on his X handle on Tuesday, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate said Nigerians were still waiting for accountability over the shooting of #EndSARS protesters in Lagos.
Atiku asked who ordered the shooting, saying the government had yet to provide satisfactory answers six years after the incident. He also criticised President Bola Tinubu’s response at the time, arguing that it focused on questioning the protesters rather than demanding accountability for the violence.
The former vice president said the incident continued to fuel grief and distrust, particularly among young Nigerians who had demanded justice. He accused the APC of failing to address the unanswered questions, adding that protecting citizens’ lives was a fundamental responsibility of government.
Atiku also linked the unresolved Lekki shooting questions to the economic difficulties facing young Nigerians, citing rising petrol prices, declining purchasing power and fewer opportunities. He said petrol selling at ₦1,405 per litre had made it increasingly difficult for households to afford transportation, food, education and housing.
To illustrate the pressure on workers, Atiku cited the account of a young woman who reportedly resigned from her job because her salary could no longer cover transportation costs. He quoted her 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 ADC chieftain said his proposed Economic Recovery Plan would make life more affordable through measures including support tied to domestically refined fuel, increased local production, protection for minimum-wage earners, student support and reduced government waste.
He argued that employment should provide workers with a decent standard of living rather than leave them struggling to meet basic expenses.
Atiku maintained that young Nigerians deserved answers about the Lekki shooting and an economy that offered meaningful opportunities. He urged the government to address the concerns surrounding the incident and the shrinking purchasing power of citizens, insisting that Nigerians had the right to demand accountability and better economic conditions.
