Former military spokesman, Major General John Enenche, has explained why he described the Lekki tollgate massacre event in Lagos as photoshopped.

In 2020, TODAY POLITICS, recalls that youths in the country began protesting, demanding the scrapping of then police brutal unit codenamed Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). They hinged their decision on the incessant harassment, torture and killing of young Nigerians who appear wealthy physically.

The protests across several states went on for weeks until military personnel swooped on demonstrators at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos, opening live rounds on the protesters on October 20.

Authorities, including the Lagos State government, began denying dispatching troops to the scene of the massacre the federal government later described as “massacre without bodies.”

Mr Eneche, on his part as a military spokesman, described multimedia reports of the development as photoshopped with no truth therein.

Recently, he was appointed a member of the Obi-Datti Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) of the Labour Party LP). His appointment met strife criticism when OBIdients – A youth driven movement supporting the Anambra former governor – called for his exclusion from the 1,234-member list of the PCC.

Explaining his reason for the description, the Major General in a statement on Friday said he worked based on his oath of allegiance.

“Dear countrymen 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 the ENDARS incident at Lekki toll gate on 20 October 2020,” the statement partly reads.

“Every one that commented in any way 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 military service which is sacrosanct.

“I sincerely shared in the pains of that breaking news through the social media as it were. On this note, I want to assure all that more effort will be put in, so that all assertions can be cleared convincingly from appropriate sources,” he pledged.

Meanwhile, following the outcry that greeted his inclusion, Mr Obi has indicated that the ex-military spokesman, might not make the list where he said errors were made.

“I’ve received several calls of concern following the release of the Labour Party’s Presidential Campaign Council list,” the LP candidate tweeted on Friday. “Admittedly, there were some omissions and erroneous entries in the list, hence the concerns expressed. In response, the Labour Party Chairman in the presence of members of the NWC addressed the issues during a press conference. In keeping with our commitment to accountability, responsiveness and transparency, an updated list will be issued in due course. I plead for patience.”

lhordspy:

Stop beating around the bush sir, saying plenty nothing.


Was it photoshopped or not

Penguin2:
As much as I support his exclusion from the Labour Party PCC list due to the sensitivity of the EndSARS issue, we also need to understand that Gen. Enenche was merely doing his job.

Like he said, he swore allegiance to the army and Nigeria; and as much as he was the Army’s Spokesperson, he had people he was receiving orders from.

He couldn’t have disobeyed the order given to him to say “there was no massacre” just because he wants to stand with the people. If he did, he would have been court martialed.

Sometimes we need to remove emotions and look at things critically.

socialmediaman:
Peter Obi responded to the criticisms swiftly, that's the kind of president you will get when you elect him

tommy589:
I wonder what this Retired Generals still want in public positions again. These people have been enjoying public funds before the age of 20 and well loaded. Instead to let another person enjoy small,he still want Nigeria to continue picking his bills when LP wins

lhordspy:

Stop beating around the bush sir, saying plenty nothing.


Was it photoshopped or not

Kdon2:


Peter that has no legacy to show s achievements, no human capital development to his name till date except that he doesn't waste money. Na that one be achievement? Let him show us his investment in people and his achievement in eight years of ruling Anambra.

sharpden:


https://todaypoliticsng.com/why-i-said-lekki-tollgate-endsars-massacre-was-photoshopped-eneche-explains/

Penguin2:

Like he said, he swore allegiance to the army and Nigeria; and as much as he was the Army’s Spokesperson, he had people he was receiving orders from.

He couldn’t have disobeyed the order given to him to say “there was no massacre” just because he wants to stand with the people. If he did, he would have been court martialed.

hegelian:


He could have resigned and stand by the people.. Being in position of authority means to be with the country.. There is a difference between standing with the country and standing the president, the moment there is a divergence of interest, the interest of the country should supercede all else, therefore he failed.. Our leaders need to start knowing that they are to be for the nation not for the president as hard as it might be

Racoon:
Scarp it Major-General Eneche(rtd). Then it simply means you gat no conscience of your own. You swore allegiance to fatherland. Yes! But with solemn obligation to do what is fair, right and just before God & man.

So why didn't resign your commission if telling the truth is an anathema? "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of convenience and comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy."( Martin Luther King Jr.)

Pakute:
Loser party.