Former National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has for the umpteenth time denied ordering soldiers to shoot peaceful EndSARS protesters.
The shooting occurred at the Lekki Toll Gate last Tuesday.
Tinubu has been accused of ordering the shooting to mitigate losses incurred by the Lekki Concession Company, which is the concessionaire and operator of the toll gate.
The former Lagos State Governor is said to own the company.
However, Tinubu has on different occasions since Tuesday denied owning the company or ordering soldiers to shoot at peaceful protesters.
The latest denial came in a Sunday statement titled, “EndSARS Protests: A Fundamental Lesson In Democratic Governance”.
The ex-governor said that as a democrat of nearly 30 years in politics, he believed in the right to peaceful protest.
He said he would never order soldiers to kill his own people, blaming political opponents for spreading lies to damage his reputation.
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Tinubu said, “Here, let me directly address the sharp point aimed against me. I have been falsely accused of ordering the reported deployment of soldiers against peaceful protesters that took place at Lekki on 20 October 2020.
“This allegation is a complete and terrible lie. I did not order this or any assault against anybody. I would never want such a vile thing to happen nor did I have any prior knowledge about this sad event.
“It is my firm belief that no one should be harassed, injured or possibly killed for doing what they have the constitutional right to do in making their contribution to a better, more equitable society.
“As a political figure, I am accustomed to people attributing to me all manner of indiscretions of which I have no knowledge and in which I played no role. I have usually ignored such falsities as the cost of being in the public eye.
“This time, it is different. The allegation now levied against me is that I called on soldiers to kill my own people. This allegation is the foulest of lies.
“The use of strong force against any peaceful protesters is indefensible, completely outside the norms of a democratic society and progressive political culture to which I aspire and have devoted my public life.
“That people were angered by the reports of violence and death is acutely understandable. Understandably outraged, people sought to hold someone accountable.
“For various reasons, I became the most available scapegoat. Some people don’t like me because they believe the false rumours uttered about me over the years. Some maligned my name because they hide ulterior motives & harbour unrequited political scores they intend to settle.
“A week ago, such people tried to bring enmity between me and the state and federal governments by contending I was sponsoring the protests.
“When that did not work, they then sought to sow enmity between me and the people by saying I ordered soldiers to quash the very same protests they first accused me of organising.
“My opponents have every right to oppose me politically but let them have the courage to do so in the open, above board and to employ facts not evil fiction in their efforts against me.
“They have no right to slander and defame anyone with the terrible and vile fabrications now cast at my feet.”
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