Etim Etim argues that government at the centre should not dismiss the recent alarm raised by the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress for the 2027 general election, Mr Peter Obi, about his safety.
Murder for political reasons is not rare in Nigeria, so when NDC Presidential candidate, Peter Obi said the other day that he might be assassinated before the 2027 polls, I was considerably alarmed.
Only last February, Obi and his team were shot at in Benin city in what his supporters claimed was an assassination attempt. Since then, the former Anambra governor has been hinting at his frustrations with the government. It is therefore important that we listen to his recent fears.
Speaking in an interview during the week, Obi said Nigerian authorities are systematically frustrating his activities and targeting other opposition politicians. ‘’Every single thing I do for a living, this government is frustrating it. Deliberately so. So, there is even a possibility, if they have the opportunity, I will not be alive’’, he said. Obi however pointed out that he was not making a direct accusation against any individual, but noted that his experiences pointed to deliberate efforts to frustrate him or obstruct his activities.
