Angry reactions have been trailing the interview granted by the Labour Party Vice-Presidential candidate, Datti Baba-Ahmed, in which he said the use of the word ‘massacre’ for the Lekki tollgate shooting of October 20, 2020, is debatable.
Appearing on a Channels Television program on Thursday, October 20, 2022, Datti noted that there were cases of abuse of procedure and civil rights violations during the nationwide protests, but the use of “massacre” to describe the aftermath of the shooting incident on October 20, is debatable.
“There was abuse of human rights, procedures and if some people interpret it as massacre, then yes. However, the massacre has different technical meanings. I can’t say I know all of it.
“First of all, no advance notice was given before the attack. The victims must have been attacked in their own areas.
“These are well-meaning Nigerians who brought themselves out in the public area and were attacked by security forces who are meant to be protecting their lives and properties.
“The use of ‘massacre’ is highly debatable, but I can say for sure that there were abuses of procedures and civil rights violations,” he was quoted as saying.
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Reacting to the interview, some pro-EndSARS advocates who find the submission of Mr Peter Obi’s running mate offensive, took to social media to express their displeasure.
@ChuGailx: “Datti Yusuf bothers me as Obi’s vice. That man has really skewed views on things. He strikes me as a man that lacks empathy and will do anything as long as it seems logical. I’m glad he’s not the one running for president. No one wants a textbook robot as a leader.”
@DefaultJude: “Yusuf Datti is a brutally frank person which is good. Sometimes, he seems to me like he lacks diplomacy which is not good for a politician. I trust him but he must level up on diplomacy and emotional intelligence.”
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@bami_george: “All of a sudden the lives that were lost and serious injuries that were sustained that night is highly debatable. At this point, I don’t take Nigerians seriously anymore.”
@governor_ameh: “This is an unfortunate position Datti has made. You cannot prevaricate on issues as germane as this. Debatable? Goodness me! It undermines the very essence of all our struggles and reduces it to nothingness. This is no different from the position of the govt and army!”
@EnemiesN: “This is disappointing. Datti Baba Ahmed should educate himself on EndSARS.”
@Doughnotman: “Massacre is debatable? Can someone show this guy the dictionary… I have always found this guy inspiring. I can even sit through his interviews. Peter Obi’s reputation should be enough to win the election.”
@SubzeroNft: “Datti through his comments tonight showed the huge disparity in police brutality towards the southerners & the northerners. Police brutality & rascality is alien to an average northerner, but it is pathetic for a VP candidate not to understand the peculiarities in each region.“