Human rights lawyer and social critic, Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has urged President Bola Tinubu and relevant security agencies to take preventive measures to protect Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), ahead of the 2027 general election. This call was made in a statement following Obi's recent expression of concern about his personal safety during an interview on Arise TV.
Obi had expressed uncertainty about whether he would remain alive until the 2027 election, prompting Ejiofor to urge the Federal Government to take the concern seriously and act before any potential threat escalates. Ejiofor emphasized that Obi's comments should not be dismissed as ordinary campaign rhetoric, but rather trigger vigilance, proper inquiry, and preventive action from relevant institutions.
The lawyer said the issue should concern Nigerians regardless of their political affiliation, ethnic background, religious persuasion, or preferred candidate. He also referenced recent difficulties allegedly experienced by opposition politicians during political activities, including the reported obstruction of Obi's convoy in Benue State.
Ejiofor acknowledged that competing accounts had emerged over the Benue incident, noting that the police confirmed that Obi's visit was known and that security personnel were providing protection, while responsibility for the reported obstruction remained disputed. He called for reports of threats, inflammatory rhetoric, and obstruction of opposition activities to be properly investigated rather than treated as established facts.
Ejiofor stressed that politics is a contest for the consent of the people, not a license to barricade the people from hearing alternative viewpoints. He urged the Federal Government, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, and state authorities to ensure that all presidential candidates can campaign peacefully and that Nigerians are free to listen to and support candidates of their choice.
The lawyer specifically called on Tinubu, as President and Commander-in-Chief, to ensure that the security and democratic rights of all political contestants are protected ahead of the election. He warned that any serious incident involving Obi could have consequences beyond the individual and affect the wider political environment.
Ejiofor emphasized that the priority should be to prevent political violence and ensure that the 2027 contest is ultimately determined through the ballot and the law rather than intimidation, coercion, or violence. He added that Nigeria should take preventive measures before potential threats develop into a crisis, stressing that the country should not wait for tragedy before acting.
Key points
- Ejiofor calls for federal protection for Peter Obi citing concerns over his safety during the 2027 general election.
- Obi expressed uncertainty about his safety during an interview on Arise TV, prompting Ejiofor's call for action.
- Ejiofor urges the Federal Government, security agencies, and INEC to ensure peaceful campaigning and protection of democratic rights for all contestants.
