Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the governorship candidate for the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has accused the APC-led Federal Government of normalising a lack of empathy for Nigerians following the use of tear gas during #EndSARS anniversary commemorations.
The ADC candidate’s criticism follows reports of security forces deploying tear gas to disperse crowds gathered to mark the anniversary of the October 2020 protests against police brutality. Rhodes-Vivour argued that the government’s response demonstrates a disregard for the lives lost during the original demonstrations.
The confrontation has sparked fresh debate over the state’s handling of peaceful assemblies and the memory of those killed during the height of the 2020 protests. The remarks were captured in a video released on Monday, where Rhodes-Vivour stated that the current administration has become desensitised to the struggles and losses of the Nigerian people.
The #EndSARS movement began in October 2020 as a widespread social movement against the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigeria Police Force that faced numerous allegations of extortion, extrajudicial killings, and sexual harassment. The protests eventually expanded into a broader call for good governance and police reform, leading to significant clashes between protesters and security agencies.
The anniversary of these events remains a sensitive period in Nigerian political discourse. Many activists and civil society organisations continue to demand justice for victims of the 2020 crackdown, particularly regarding the events at the Lekki toll gate.
Political implications of the crackdown
The use of force during such commemorations adds pressure to the political landscape as various opposition parties, including the ADC, seek to capture the sentiment of a disillusioned youth population. Rhodes-Vivour’s criticism reflects a trend of political actors using the legacy of the #EndSARS movement to challenge the legitimacy of the ruling party’s security policies.
The tension between civil liberties and state security remains a central theme in Nigerian political discourse. While the government maintains that such measures are necessary to prevent public disorder, critics argue that the tactical use of tear gas against anniversary commemorators serves to stifle dissent rather than maintain order.
No official response from the Federal Government or the police command has been released regarding the specific deployment of tear gas during the anniversary events.
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