• Obidients demand reopening of Funsho Williams’ murder case
• Umahi flays Obi over declined public debate invite

Igbo Leaders under the auspices of the Igbo Leaders of Thought (ILT) at the weekend condemned an alleged systematic suppression of the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The group, made up of Southeastern Nigerian intellectuals, traditional rulers, and stakeholders, warned that the clampdown on the opposition, if not urgently curbed, could derail plans for the upcoming general elections and seriously undermine the integrity of the poll outcome.
 
This submission came amid the recent alarm raised by the Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, over his safety and systematic frustration of his businesses, as well as judicial pronouncements against key opposition parties, allegedly targeted at destabilising their preparations for the polls.
 
They also frowned at the use of state institutions, including the judiciary, security agencies, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), to incapacitate opposition parties and prevent them from competing with the ruling party during the 2027 general elections.  
 
In a statement obtained after their meeting in Enugu, signed by their President, Prof. Elochukwu Amucheazi, and Secretary, Prof. Jerry Chukwuokolo, ILT insisted that the ongoing emasculation of the opposition could wreck Nigeria’s hard-fought democracy.
 
Explaining that the current democracy did not come on a platter, the group reminded the key political players that it was a “political struggle against military rule”.
 
It added: “Ironically, those in power in Nigeria today, who do not want the opposition to breathe, pride themselves as key players in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria. The same people who claim to be champions of democracy are emasculating the opposition.

Meanwhile, the Obidient Movement has mounted fresh pressure on the Federal Government to reopen the investigation into the 2006 assassination of former Lagos State governorship aspirant, Funsho Williams, arguing that recent remarks by Obi about fears for his personal safety have revived concerns over political violence and impunity in Nigeria.
 
In a strongly worded statement that was signed by the Media and Communications Directorate of the Obidient Movement and issued yesterday, the movement described the unresolved killing of Williams as “an enduring stain on Nigeria’s democratic history” and challenged President Bola Tinubu to direct the Inspector-General of Police to immediately reopen the case.

Also, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has responded to Obi’s rejection of an invitation to a public debate, insisting that the proposed engagement was about comparing governance records, not political status.
 
Umahi’s reaction followed Obi’s remarks during an interview in which the NDC presidential candidate declined the invitation, saying the minister is not running for office.
 
In a statement issued yesterday through his Special Assistant on Media, Francis Nwaze, the minister said the debate was never intended to focus on political ambition but on accountability and measurable achievements in public office.
 
The minister argued that governance should be assessed based on verifiable achievements rather than political titles.