Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has demanded accountability for the October 20, 2020, Lekki tollgate shooting, accusing the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government of failing to address lingering questions surrounding the incident.

Atiku also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu over rising living costs, declining purchasing power and worsening economic hardship, particularly among young Nigerians.

The former vice president made the remarks in a post on his X handle on Tuesday, marking six years since soldiers opened fire on #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.

“Six years after the Lekki shooting, Nigeria is still waiting for a clear answer to one devastating question: Who gave the order?” Atiku asked.

He also faulted Tinubu’s response to the incident in October 2020, arguing that the president’s comments at the time appeared to question the presence and conduct of protesters who suffered casualties rather than demand accountability for the violence.

According to Atiku, the unresolved questions surrounding the incident have continued to fuel public anger, grief and distrust, particularly among young Nigerians who had demanded justice during the #EndSARS protests.

“The APC has governed Nigeria through these six years. It cannot keep asking Nigerians to remember the dead while refusing to confront the unanswered questions,” he said.

Atiku added that protecting citizens’ lives and ensuring accountability for alleged abuses were fundamental responsibilities of government.

The ADC chieftain also linked the lingering concerns over the Lekki shooting to the economic challenges confronting Nigerians, citing rising petrol prices, declining purchasing power and dwindling employment opportunities.

He said petrol selling at ₦1,405 per litre had made it increasingly difficult for many Nigerians to afford transportation, food, education and housing.

“The APC promised renewal. For too many Nigerians, the experience has been rising costs, shrinking opportunity and a future pushed further out of reach,” Atiku stated.

To illustrate the impact of the economic situation, he recounted the experience of a young woman who allegedly resigned from her job because her salary could no longer cover her transportation expenses.

Atiku quoted the woman as saying, “The pay no longer covers transport. Everything in Nigeria just dey increase in price. Feels like I’m working for Bolt guys.”

The comments come as Nigerians mark the sixth anniversary of the Lekki tollgate shooting, which occurred during the nationwide #EndSARS protests against police brutality and demands for broader police reforms.

The incident remains a major point of public debate, with continued calls for transparency, accountability and justice for those affected.