The 2020 EndSARS protest will likely affect youth decisions in the forthcoming 2023 general elections.
Economic and other activities in Nigeria in October 2020, when they protested alleged extra-judicial killings by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS.
The social movement and mass protests against police brutality, which took off in Edo State after an innocent citizen was allegedly gunned down by members of the SARS, escalated to other parts of the nation, halting social and economic activities.
Although several youths paid the supreme prize when the protests were hijacked by alleged sponsored hoodlums, some of the core aims, which include call for the disbandment of the SARS, were achieved.
It can be recalled that prior to the Lekki massacre, the then Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu on October 11, announced the disbandment of SARS following the mass protests.
According to the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry on Restitution for Victims of SARS Related Abuses and other matters, at least 46 unarmed protesters were either shot dead, injured with bullets, or assaulted by security forces at the Lekki toll gate where protesters converged on October 20, 2020.
DAILY POST reports that memory of the Lekki massacre has resurfaced on the internet as some politicians accused of masterminding the unfortunate shootings are now running for political offices.
Recall that two major correctional facilities in Edo State were also attacked by the hoodlums who freed several convicts. Some public and private properties were completely destroyed and vandalized; the sanctity of the Palace of the Oba of Lagos was also violated.
In a move to quell the escalated movement, President Muhammadu Buhari in his address on October 23, pledged the inclusiveness of young Nigerians in policy making.
DAILY POST recalls that for the first time in the history of Nigeria, a 25-year-old Nigerian youth was elected as youth leader of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in 2021.
Suleiman Mohammed, who hails from Kaduna State, was elected as a youth leader during the party’s convention on October 30, 2021.
Currently, most of the presidential and governorship candidates of the major political parties running for the 2023 general elections have vowed to ensure youth inclusiveness in their administrations if elected into office.
Reporters report that some Nigerian celebrities who coordinated the End SARS protest are currently campaigning against the voting of old and incompetent politicians.
Peter Square, a defunct member of the popular music group, P-Square and Adebowale David Ibrahim Adedayo, known by his stage name Mr Macaroni have consistently used their social media handles to warn Nigerian youths against voting wrongly, asking everyone to get their PVCs.
When DAILY POST visited the Permanent Voters Card, PVC registration center in Bwari, Abuja, it was observed that over 70% of those thronging the facility for registration are youths preparing to make changes in the 2023 elections.
Some of those seeking to obtain their PVCs to kick out incompetent leaders told reporters that the era of political apathy is over in Nigeria.
Mr. Sunday Adi