African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of failing to provide answers over the October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll Gate shooting, insisting that Nigerians, particularly youths, deserve justice and better economic opportunities.
Atiku also criticised the economic policies of the APC-led administration, citing rising petrol prices, declining purchasing power and the increasing cost of living.
He made the remarks in a statement shared on his social media account on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, to commemorate the sixth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests and the Lekki Toll Gate shooting.
He questioned who ordered the shooting of protesters, arguing that six years after the incident, Nigerians were still waiting for clear answers.
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He also recalled comments attributed to President Bola Tinubu in October 2020, when the President questioned the circumstances surrounding the presence of protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate.
Atiku wrote, “Six years after the Lekki shooting, Nigeria is still waiting for a clear answer to one devastating question: Who gave the order?
“Let us also not forget that in October 2020, Bola Tinubu, rather than demonstrating the empathy and compassion the tragedy demanded, suggested that those who suffered casualties during the shooting had questions to answer.”
He quoted Tinubu as asking: “How were they there? How long were they there? What kind of characters are they?”
Atiku said the comments appeared to focus on questioning the victims rather than demanding accountability for the violence against protesters.
He added that the continued calls for answers reflected the grief of affected families and the distrust of young Nigerians who had demanded police reform and good governance.
The ADC presidential candidate said the APC, having governed Nigeria for the six years since the incident, must take responsibility for its record and address the outstanding questions surrounding the tragedy.
Atiku also linked the anniversary to the economic challenges facing Nigerians, saying that rising petrol prices and the cost of living had made it increasingly difficult for young people to secure a decent livelihood.
He cited the experience of a young woman who, according to one of his aides, resigned from her job because her salary could no longer cover her transportation costs.
Quoting the woman, Atiku said: “The pay no longer covers transport. Everything in Nigeria just dey increase in price. Feels like I’m working for Bolt guys.”
He described the experience as an indication of the economic pressure on workers, arguing that even employed Nigerians were struggling to afford the cost of getting to work.
Atiku said his Economic Recovery Plan was designed to address the situation through measures aimed at making Nigeria more affordable.
According to him, the proposals include linking consumer relief to fuel refined locally, increasing domestic production to create jobs, protecting minimum-wage earners, providing student support and reducing government waste rather than introducing additional taxes.
He said young Nigerians deserved both justice over the Lekki shooting and an economy in which employment could provide a pathway to a better life.
Atiku added that the APC had had sufficient time to address the concerns of Nigerians, insisting that citizens were entitled to demand answers over the incident and better economic opportunities.
The #EndSARS protests began in October 2020, with young Nigerians demanding an end to police brutality and the reform of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The Lekki Toll Gate shooting on October 20, 2020, became one of the most significant and contentious episodes of the protests.
