Obidients behind EndSARS protest to tarnish Tinubu’s image, Bisi Akande alleges

Chief Bisi Akande, a former Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has alleged that members of the ‘Obidient’ movement were behind the 2020 EndSARS protests, claiming that their true motive was to discredit and destroy the reputation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking during a podcast with Edmond Obilo on Wednesday, Akande insisted that the mass protests, initially aimed at ending police brutality, were manipulated by certain political elements to serve their own agenda.

He stated that many of those actively involved in mobilizing and funding the demonstrations were later seen as vocal supporters of Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the 2023 presidential election.

“Their plan was never just about police reform. It was a coordinated attack on Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s political standing, especially as he was seen as a key player in the APC government. Those who now call themselves Obidients were already working underground to incite chaos and undermine his influence ahead of the 2023 elections,” Akande asserted.

He further alleged that social media campaigns and international narratives surrounding EndSARS were fueled by groups that had long been opposed to Tinubu’s leadership.

“Look at the way they targeted businesses linked to him, the fake news spread against him, and how they made him the face of the government’s response. It was all planned,” he said.

However, his claims have sparked reactions from political analysts and civil society groups, many of whom argue that EndSARS was a spontaneous movement driven by youth dissatisfaction with police brutality, corruption, and bad governance.

READ ALSO: Presidency 2023: Bisi Akande, Segun Osoba battle to unite southwest to produce APC candidate

A spokesperson for the Labour Party, in response, dismissed Akande’s allegations as baseless, insisting that the Obidient movement did not exist in 2020 and that the EndSARS protests were not politically motivated.

“EndSARS was a nationwide call for justice, not a political conspiracy. It is unfortunate that leaders keep rewriting history for their own convenience,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, supporters of President Tinubu have backed Akande’s claims, urging the government to remain vigilant against what they describe as “coordinated attempts to destabilize Nigeria through political activism disguised as social movements.”

As debates continue over the true nature of the EndSARS protests, many Nigerians maintain that the movement was a legitimate expression of frustration against police brutality and bad governance, rather than a politically orchestrated attack on any individual.