Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, on Monday condemned the use of tear gas against pensioners protesting at the Lagos State House of Assembly, describing the incident as an unacceptable assault on elderly citizens demanding their entitlements.
Sowore, in a text on X, said the pensioners had peacefully gathered to demand their legitimate post-retirement benefits after years of service to the state.
He said using tear gas against the protesters was “cruel, reckless, and completely unacceptable”, warning that exposing elderly people to chemical fumes could have serious health consequences.
According to him, many of the pensioners were already vulnerable to the effects of tear gas because of their age and possible underlying health challenges.
“Teargassing elderly citizens in these circumstances is equivalent to pushing them into a gas chamber,” Sowore said.
He argued that the officers involved in the incident should not be allowed to escape accountability, calling for their identification, arrest and investigation.
Sowore further demanded that the officers be prosecuted if investigations establish that they deliberately exposed the pensioners to potentially lethal harm.
“Where the evidence supports it, they should face charges such as attempted murder, reflecting the seriousness of deliberately exposing vulnerable senior citizens to potentially lethal harm,” he said.
The activist urged the Lagos State Government to address the pensioners’ grievances and ensure they receive their outstanding entitlements.
“Our pensioners deserve their entitlements, dignity, and respect, not brutality!” he added.
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