Posted by By RAZAQ BAMIDELE, ADESINA AIYEKOTI, AKEEB ALARAPE (Ibadan), MOSHOOD ADEBAYO (Abeokuta), TOKUNBO OLOKE, SEGUN AJAYI and MUYIWA OYINLOLA on
Shock and anger yesterday trailed the assassination of Lagos State gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Funsho Williams.....
Shock and anger yesterday trailed the assassination of Lagos State gubernatorial aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Funsho Williams.
Ogun State Governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel, described it as a dangerous beginning for the journey towards 2007.
"It is a devastating blow to democracy. I received with utter shock the news of the assassination of frontline gubernatorial aspirant in Lagos State, Eng. Funsho Williams.
It is a dangerous dimension for security of life and a devastating blow to democracy in Nigeria. He was a perfect gentleman, an accomplished technocrat, a refined politician, a dogged fighter in his noble aspiration to become the Governor of Lagos State," Daniel stated.
Lagos lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Gani Fawehinmi (SAN), while expressing shock over the dastardly development noted that it pointed to a bitter future for the coming elections.
Regrettably, Fawehinmi expressed fears that the 2007 elections would be bloody, a dangerous trend to the sustenance of democratic rule in the country.
In his own reaction, the Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, blamed the death of Williams, a former member of the group, on the PDP. "It is sad that the PDP is still continuing its culture of violence. And this is one of the many reasons why the party should be voted out of office in 2007," he said.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by another chieftain of the group, Hon. Babatunde Oduyoye, urged the government to commence investigation into the murder and bring the killers to book.
Expressing the same view, the National Publicity Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Mr Dayo Adeyeye stated that "the development has confirmed Professor Wole Soyinka's assertion that the PDP is a cult of murderers. Eng Funsho Williams was once with us before he crossed over to the den of lion," he regretted.
A statement signed by AD Director of Organisation, Kunle Odufuwa, warned the PDP not to disturb the peace of the state, and put its house in order in the interest of Lagosians. "The AD urged the PDP to appreciate the enabling and peaceful environment created by Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for other political parties to operate, and therefore called on them to spare Lagosians the wake of violence that is daily threatening the peace of the state."
On his part, the Secretary General of the Southern Leaders Forum (SLF), Dr Dejo Raimi, called on the police and other security agents in the country to fish out the killers.
He also warned politicians to be "very security conscious" as the election year approached.
"What happened to Funsho is highly unexpected. This was a man that cannot hurt a fly. His assassination is more worrisome to me because he belonged to our party, the PDP. His killers must be fished out at all costs, no matter how highly placed," he said.
A former Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Alhaji Adegboyega Kaka also expressed disbelief on Williams death. He said: it is bad dream, I think it does not become a reality. If at the end of the day we find it to be true, then, it shows that the future is bleak for this country. Funsho was a complete gentleman. He lost elections twice, yet he never asked his supporters to set Lagos on fire.
In his view, President, Ijaw National Congress (INC), Edwin Clark expressed worries that the unfortunate act might deprive the nation of the good leadership in various quarters, stressing that it could send fears into the minds of potential good leaders who would be afraid to participate in politics.
However, activities at the National Maritime Authority (NMA) was yesterday grounded, as its Director General, Festus Ugwu summoned an emergency meeting of all executive directors, over the sudden death of Williams, who until his death was the chairman, board of directors, of the NMA.
Workers at the maritime regulatory agency were seen in groups, discussing the untimely death of the politician.
In the same vein, there was absolute quiets at the old and new secretariats of the party in Ikeja. Passersby were seen steering at the campaign posters of the deceased.
Oyo State Governor, Otunba Christopher Alao-Akala described the gruesome assassination as very pathetic, sad and unfortunate.
Gov. Alao-Akala whose reaction was contained in a statement issued in Ibadan said that he received the sad news with shock, grief and sorrow.
In the statement, signed by his Adviser on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Diran Odeyemi, Alao-Akala described the late governorship aspirant as a patriotic, loyal and committed politician who is much interested in the rapid development and progress of his fatherland.