Lagos State governorship candidate Gbadebo Rhodes‑Vivour of the African Democratic Congress has publicly challenged Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat over the latter’s recent comments on the 2020 #EndSARS protests and the tear‑gas incident that occurred during those demonstrations.
Rhodes‑Vivour’s criticism centers on Hamzat’s remarks regarding the handling of the protests, which he says downplay the severity of the police response and the impact on Lagos residents.
The #EndSARS movement erupted in October 2020 across Nigeria, demanding the disbandment of the Special Anti‑Robbery Squad and an end to police brutality. In Lagos, security forces responded with force, including the deployment of tear‑gas, leading to injuries and heightened public outcry.
Hamzat, who serves as Lagos State’s deputy governor, had previously spoken about the events, prompting Rhodes‑Vivour to call for a clearer accounting of the actions taken by authorities during the protests.
By raising the issue ahead of the upcoming Lagos governorship election, Rhodes‑Vivour aims to highlight what he describes as a lack of accountability and to position his campaign on a platform of transparency and justice for protest victims.
The exchange underscores the lingering political sensitivity surrounding #EndSARS and the broader debate over police reform in Nigeria’s most populous city.
<small>Source: Punch Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
