Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, on Wednesday condemned the police dispersal of EndSARS anniversary commemorators at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos State.
This is contained in a statement issued by Mark Adebayo, Chief Media and Communications Advisor to the Adebayo-Bugaje Presidential Campaign organisation in Abuja.
Describing the police alleged use of tear gas to end the commemoration as heavy-handed, Adebayo cautioned that Nigeria should not slip into authoritarian rule.
He urged Nigerians to remain resilient and refuse intimidation, keeping in mind that the constitution guarantees their fundamental right to peaceful assembly.
He urged government institutions to respect democratic tenets rather than deploying what he described as excessive force against unarmed protesting youths.
The candidate said the populace was already burdened with economic and social struggles, adding that their situation should not be compounded by those who should protect them.
Reiterating solidarity with Nigerian youths and civil society, Adebayo demanded the immediate release of individuals detained during the event.
He also called for an official investigation into the conduct of security operatives deployed to disperse the gathering.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Police on Tuesday morning reportedly fired tear gas to disperse residents, journalists and political figures gathered at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos to commemorate the 2020 ENDSARS protest.
Among those affected were the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Lagos State, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, and the Nigeria Democratic Congress governorship candidate, Funso Doherty.
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