Retired Major General John Enenche has pleaded with supporters of Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi not to exclude him from campaigning for a “new Nigeria.”

Mr Enenche became a target of attacks among “Obidients”, an army of predominantly young Nigerians pushing for the realisation of the Obi presidency in the 2023 elections, when his name featured in Labour Party’s presidential campaign council.

There have been reverberating calls for him to be removed from the campaign council as his inclusion “offends” the sensibilities of majority of Mr Obi’s supporters.

“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,” Mr Enenche said in a statement on Friday. “In this regard, I appeal to all in this endeavour to allow us maintain focus to achieve this all important mission.”

The retired military chief added: “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.”

Mr Enenche, a former military spokesman, drew the ire of Nigerians when he denied killing of #EndSARS protesters by Nigerian soldiers at Lekki Tollgate.

On October 20, 2020, Nigerian soldiers opened fire on unarmed #EndSARS campaigners who converged on the Lekki Tollgate to demand an end to police brutality mainly perpetrated by the defunct police Special Anti-Robbery Squad. Many demonstrators were killed by state agents on that fateful night while sitting on the floor, singing the national anthem and waving the Nigerian flag.

The federal and Lagos government continue to deny fatalities from the unwarranted military intervention. Mr Enenche, in the heat of the controversy, also suggested that a live footage broadcast by DJ Switch, a protester at the scene on that fateful night, was “photoshopped.”

Mr Enenche maintains that his remarks on #LekkiMassacre was made “in overriding interest of Nigerians at heart based on the oath of allegiance I swore on commission into military service.”

Presidential candidate Obi in reacting to the brouhaha had hinted on removing Mr Enenche from his campaign body, admitting “some omissions and erroneous entries” in the compilation.

Campaign spokesman Tanko Yunusa told The Gazette Saturday morning via the telephone that he was happy that Mr Enenche has given his own side of the story as “everybody in Nigeria is important as long as we decide to do the right thing.”

Mr Yunusa, however, said “We will respond according to the Nigerian wish and demand, especially the Nigerian youth,” when asked if Mr Enenche’s white flag would be sufficient to retain him in the campaign.