By George Omagbemi
Retired Major General John Enenche, the former Defence Headquarters spokesperson who described videos of the 2020 Lekki shooting as “photoshopped” and “cropped,” has been named Director of Security and Intelligence in the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general elections.
The appointment has reignited debate over his response to the October 20, 2020, incident at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos, where Nigerian Army personnel were deployed during the #EndSARS protests.
Enenche’s inclusion in the campaign council was confirmed in the list released by the NDC on Sunday. The party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, was named co-chairman of the council, while former Kano State governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso was listed as the vice-presidential candidate and co-vice chairman.
In 2020, Enenche publicly questioned the authenticity of videos circulating after the Lekki incident, saying analysts had concluded that the footage had been cropped and photoshopped. His comments attracted criticism from protesters, activists and members of the public who demanded accountability for the incident.
The controversy resurfaced in 2022 when Enenche was included in Obi’s Labour Party presidential campaign council. He subsequently explained that his comments had been made in his professional capacity as a military officer and under the oath of allegiance he had taken.
The latest appointment has again drawn criticism online. African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore criticised the decision, while social media users questioned the political implications of appointing Enenche to oversee security and intelligence.
The NDC has described its campaign council as a body tasked with coordinating mobilisation and campaign activities nationwide.
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