Major General John Enenche, #LekkiMassacre and the truth

Major General John Enenche, #LekkiMassacre and the truth

Major General John Enenche (retd.), who described the Lekki shooting incident as being “photoshopped” and “cropped” has made the list of the 1,234 members of the presidential campaign council of the Labour Party standard bearer, Peter Obi.

 

Though Mr Peter Obi have admitted errors and promise the party will work on the list but criticisms have trailed the appointment of Enenche in Obi’s campaign team, over his alleged role in the defence of the Lekki shooting by the Nigerian Army on October 20, 2020, during the popular #EndSARS protest.

 

Enenche, who appeared as Defence Spokesman, was addressing a press conference after the October 20, 2020 incident, and had said, “These videos were cropped and photoshopped.

 

“If not that I am not permitted, I would have forwarded it to you. Up till this morning, I got analyst to analyse the video and they said it was cropped and put together,” he said.

 

Tweeps react

Twitter user, @I_Am_Ilemona, said, “Maj. Gen. John Enenche (retd), who appears on the Labour Party PCC as representing the North-Central, once called the Lekki massacre “photoshopped.”

“His appointment, barely 10 days to the second anniversary of the Lekki massacre, should raise very serious concerns for everyone. #EndSARS.

@AjeboDanny, said, “After seeing John Enenche, an army spokesman on the Labour Party campaign council, I now regret the way i have supported Peter Obi, and will now channel all my strength, time and money into supporting Peter Obi aggressively and ensure he wins.

 

@Egi_nupe_ tweeted, “MC Olumo during the rally for BAT(Tinubu) in Lagos said nobody died at Lekki during #EndSARS and we all know what happened on Twitter that day. I want to see what will happen to Maj Gen John Enenche (retd) that called Lekki Massacre “photoshopped” but his name is on the LP PCC.

 

@Esteembehemoth also said, “I am of the opinion that Major Gen. John Enenche (retd.) should be made to either tender a public apology for the role he played during the #EndSars struggle or be forced to resign.

 

Anything else other than this is like spitting on the graves of those who lost their lives on 20:10:20.

 

Why I called #LekkiShooting photoshopped — Ex-General Enenche

Reacting, the former Director of Defence Information, Major General John Enenche (retd.), who described the #LekkiShooting incident as “photoshopped” and “cropped” gave the reasons behind his claim in 2020.

 

Enenche released a press statement on his official Twitter page, @EnenchejohnEne1, addressing the issue raised. He said he only declared that the shooting was photoshopped because of an oath of allegiance he swore on commission into the military service.

 

He said, “Dear country men and women, following my appointment on the campaign council of Labour Party, there were reactions on the social media about my pronouncement concerning a video shot at the scene of #EndSARS incident at Lekki toll-gate on October 20, 2020. Everyone that commented in anyway was right based on the information at their disposal and individual analysis.

 

“Personally and professionally, I worked with the overriding interest of Nigerians at heart based on the oath of allegiance I swore on commission into the military service, which is sacrosanct.

 

“I sincerely shared in the pains of that breaking news through the social media as it were. On that note, I want to assure all that more efforts will be put in, so that all assertions can be cleared convincingly from appropriate sources. God bless our cause for the recovery of our dear country Nigeria.”

 

Correcting Mistakes

Enenche further stated that his cause for electing credible leaders come 2023 spurred him to declare his support openly for the LP candidate without fear, adding that he was sure that Obi and running-mate, Dr. Yusuf Datti-Ahmed, would provide quality leadership.

 

He said, “Recall I underscored the need for every conscience bound Nigerian, cutting across societal class to join in the current political exercise in the country towards electing credible, competent and capable leaders in 2023.

 

“In addition, I enjoined all to speak out and not to sit on the fence.

 

“Consequently, I made bold to openly and objectively support the candidature of HE Mr. Peter Obi and Dr. Yusuf Datti-Ahmed, without fear or contradiction. All based on my knowledge of the duo for about 17 years and 5 years respectively, that they can provide quality leadership for the Nation that will guarantee effective followership.

 

“This is what Nigeria needs now to overcome all the numerous challenges imposed on the citizenry in the last two decades,” he added.

 

Nigerians React

Reacting to the press statement, a tweep @anthonyabakporo said, “Dear OBIdients, this man was under authority then. If we forgive him, soon we shall know who gave that order. Please forgive him, I admire his humility to do this press release.”

 

Another tweep, @Mmadudili said, “Here is Gen. John Enenche (retd.), condemning bad leadership as a result of insecurity in Nigeria. He equally went on to endorse @PeterObi saying he is the only one that has shown the capacity and readiness to lead the country aright. Enough of the whole blackmail on him.”

Some tweeps however are of a different opinion though.

@fisayosoyombo reacting to the release said, “They said Maj-Gen John Enenche only claimed evidence of Lekki massacre were ‘photoshopped’ because he was in the Army at the time.

“Enenche is now retired, but his statement here in the aftermath of the outcry against his inclusion on Peter Obi’s campaign team remains vague,” he added.

Major General John Enenche, #LekkiMassacre and the truth

“I believe that all Obidient Nigerians among others that believe and are working towards a new Nigeria and taking our country back have the same conviction like me.

 

“In this regard, I appeal to all in this endeavour to allow us maintain focus to achieve this all important mission.

 

“Let me state here that a good number of us in this liberation effort have a lot to give and contribute based on knowledge acquired over time in excess of thirty years, that will give solid foundation to Labour Party Government at all levels in Nigeria from 2023.” Major General John Enenche (retd.), added.

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