“A CONTRADICTORY SIGNAL”: NDC’S APPOINTMENT OF LEKKI DENIER SPARKS OUTRAGE

The Nigeria Democratic Congress has appointed retired Major General John Enenche, the former Director of Defence Information who famously described videos of the October 2020 Lekki Toll Gate shooting as “photoshopped,” as the Director of Security and Intelligence of its National Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The security chief appointment, announced on Sunday as part of the party’s newly constituted campaign committee for Peter Obi’s presidential bid, has reignited the controversy over the #EndSARS massacre and raised fresh questions about Obi’s commitment to justice for the victims, ValidViewNetwork reports .

THE APPOINTMENT

Enenche was named among the members of the NDC’s campaign committee on Sunday.

His appointment is significant because of his role during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, when he served as the face of the military’s denial of the Lekki shooting.

THE LEKKI DENIAL

On October 21, 2020, a day after soldiers opened fire on protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate, Enenche appeared on Arise TV and claimed that the damning Instagram Live video recorded by DJ Switch, which showed soldiers shooting and victims bleeding, was fake.

“These videos were cropped and photoshopped. If not that I am not permitted, I would have forwarded it to you. Up till this morning, I got analysts to analyse the video and they said it was cropped and put together,” he said at the time .

He also initially denied that soldiers were present at the tollgate. The Nigerian Army later contradicted him, admitting that its personnel were deployed to the Lekki Tollgate.

THE 2023 BACKLASH

Enenche was initially listed among the 1,234 members of Peter Obi’s Presidential Campaign Organisation under the Labour Party ahead of the 2023 election.

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The appointment triggered outrage, especially among youths and supporters of the #EndSARS movement who formed the core of the Obidient Movement that powered Obi’s 2023 run.

Following the backlash, the Labour Party was forced to backtrack.

The party and the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Organisation subsequently announced that Enenche had been dropped from the campaign council, with campaign spokespersons stating that the earlier list was a draft and would be reviewed to reflect the values of the movement .

Obi himself appeared to distance his campaign from the Lekki denial, insisting that his campaign would not whitewash history.

THE RETURN

Now, nearly five years after the Lekki massacre and three years after he was dropped from the 2023 campaign, Enenche has not only been brought back by Peter Obi but elevated to a far more sensitive and strategic position.

As Director of Security and Intelligence for the NDC National Campaign Council, he will be in charge of security strategy, intelligence gathering and safety of campaign activities nationwide for the 2027 polls .

SOWORE’S REACTION

AAC presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore criticised the appointment, reigniting the Lekki shooting controversy.

Sowore’s reaction adds to the growing scrutiny of the NDC’s decision to bring Enenche back into a position of responsibility.

WHY IT MATTERS

The appointment of Enenche is a political gamble for Peter Obi.On one hand, Enenche brings military experience and security expertise to the campaign.

On the other hand, his association with the denial of the Lekki shooting is a painful reminder to the young Nigerians who formed the backbone of Obi’s support in 2023.

For the #EndSARS generation, Enenche’s elevation is a betrayal.

For Obi, it is a signal that the campaign is prioritising security experience over historical accountability.

The 2027 election will test whether the Obidient movement can forgive and forget—or whether Enenche’s appointment will cost Obi the support of the very youths who once championed his cause. ValidViewNetwork reports.