Former Osun State Governor, Bisi Akande, has alleged that the 2020 #EndSARS protest was a politically motivated movement designed to derail the presidential ambition of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Recall that the #EndSARS protests erupted in October 2020 as a nationwide movement against police brutality, particularly targeting the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The unit had been accused of years of human rights abuses, extortion, and extrajudicial killings.
Following weeks of demonstrations, the Nigerian government disbanded SARS. However, the movement evolved into a broader demand for good governance and accountability, gaining international attention.
Speaking in an interview with journalist Edmund Obilo, Akande asserted that the protest was “manufactured” by supporters of Peter Obi, popularly known as ‘Obidients.’
According to Akande, the movement was conceived and funded from the United States with the intention of undermining Tinubu’s political aspirations.
“EndSARS was aimed and designed to be the end of Tinubu. Those behind the EndSARS knew what they were doing.
“The Obidients were behind the EndSARS. It was manufactured from America just to stop Tinubu,” Akande stated.
Akande: EndSARS was had foreign sponsorship, political Intent
The former governor further alleged that the protests were well-funded and strategically planned.
“The Obidients came from America to do EndSARS, which later became a movement. They could not form a party, so they joined whichever party.
“It was well-planned and organised with a lot of money from America,” he claimed.
His remarks suggest that he believes the protests were not merely a reaction to police brutality but were leveraged for political gains.
Akande: How Tinubu was reluctant to contest for president
Akande also shared insights into Tinubu’s journey to the presidency, revealing that the former Lagos governor was initially hesitant to run due to financial constraints.
“They called me and said, ‘Come, there is trouble. Anybody that talks to him about the presidency, he was quarrelling with them,’” Akande recounted.
He described how he met with Tinubu in Lagos and tried to convince him to enter the race.
“He said, ‘Baba, do you have money? If I had the kind of money that people have to be president, I would rank with Dangote.’”
Akande said he reassured Tinubu that his candidacy was not just about personal ambition but was vital for the Yoruba ethnic group.