Omoyele Sowore criticises NDC’s security appointment, revives Lekki shooting debate

African Action Congress presidential nominee Omoyele Sowore criticized the Nigeria Democratic Congress for selecting retired Major General John Enenche to serve as the security and intelligence director for their 2027 campaign council. In a post on the social media platform X, Sowore accused the NDC and its leader, former Anambra governor Peter Obi, of betraying the legacy of the EndSARS protests and of being complicit in past violence against pro‑Biafran activists.

Sowore’s criticism centres on Enenche’s prior comments about the October 2020 Lekki shooting, where he described video footage of the incident as “photoshopped.” Sowore characterized the former military spokesperson's selection as a direct assault on the hypocrites who abandoned the ENDSARS movement, describing Enenche as a new hero in the eyes of those he considers to have forsaken the cause.

Background

The controversy stems from the Lekki shooting on 20 October 2020, when security forces opened fire on demonstrators at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos during the EndSARS protests. Video evidence of the event has been widely circulated, though Enenche previously dismissed the footage as manipulated. In the current political landscape, the NDC, a newly formed party, has assembled a 2027 campaign council that includes Enenche as its chief security and intelligence officer. Peter Obi, a former governor of Anambra State and a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, is linked to the NDC’s leadership, prompting Sowore to allege that Obi oversaw the killing of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) activists and the disposal of their bodies in the Ezu River during his governorship.

Why it matters

Sowore’s statements highlight tensions within Nigeria’s opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections. By accusing the NDC of aligning with figures who have previously denied documented human‑rights abuses, Sowore seeks to portray the party as hostile to the EndSARS movement’s demands for police reform and accountability. The allegations also revive public scrutiny of the Lekki shooting, a pivotal moment in recent Nigerian activism, potentially influencing voter perceptions of candidates associated with the incident. Supporters of the EndSARS protests may view Enenche’s appointment as a symbolic affront, while the NDC may argue that his security experience is a pragmatic choice for campaign safety.

What happens next

The NDC has not issued a public response to Sowore’s accusations within the available reporting. As the 2027 election campaign progresses, both parties are expected to continue articulating their positions on security, human‑rights issues, and the legacy of the EndSARS protests, with further statements likely to emerge from party leaders and civil‑society groups.