The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to preserve the memory of the October 20, 2020, Lekki Toll Gate shootings, warning that the country must never normalise injustice or forget the sacrifices made by young people in their quest for a better Nigeria.

Obi made the call on Tuesday in a message commemorating the sixth anniversary of the incident, which became one of the most defining moments of the #EndSARS protests against police brutality in Nigeria.

The former Anambra State governor said the anniversary remained a painful reminder of the price Nigerian youths paid while demanding an end to police brutality, accountability and improved governance.

According to him, the events at the Lekki Toll Gate left the country with troubling questions about justice, accountability and the sanctity of human life.

“On that fateful night, peaceful #EndSARS protesters were met with gunfire. Lives were lost, many were injured, and the nation was left with questions about justice, accountability, and the sanctity of human life,” he said.

Obi stressed that Nigerians must continue to remember the victims and ensure that the tragedy strengthens the nation’s commitment to protecting fundamental human rights.

“We must never forget. We must never normalise injustice,” he declared.

The NDC presidential candidate said Nigeria must become a country where citizens enjoy protection from abuse, young people can freely express their concerns, and public officials exercise power responsibly.

He argued that a better Nigeria would require a government that listens to its citizens, respects their rights and recognises peaceful demands for reforms as legitimate expressions of democratic participation.

Obi further maintained that no Nigerian should be punished for demanding good governance or seeking a better future for themselves and the country.

His message comes as the nation reflects on the legacy of the #EndSARS movement, which mobilised thousands of young Nigerians across the country in October 2020 to protest against police brutality and demand reforms.

The Lekki Toll Gate incident attracted widespread national and international attention, generating calls for investigations, accountability and measures to prevent similar occurrences.

For Obi, the anniversary should serve not merely as a moment of mourning but also as an opportunity to renew the national commitment to justice, responsible leadership and respect for human dignity.

“May the souls of the departed continue to rest in peace. May their sacrifice strengthen our resolve to build a Nigeria where this tragedy will never be repeated,” he said.

Reaffirming his political vision, Obi declared that a better Nigeria remained possible, insisting that the country must become one where every citizen’s life is valued and protected.
“A New Nigeria is POssible. A Nigeria where every life matters,” he added.