Nothing Must Happen to Obi: Human Rights Lawyer Ejiofor Tells Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and human rights lawyer Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor

By Our Correspondent

The Anambra State-born human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, security agencies and other relevant institutions to take preventive measures to ensure the safety of the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Peter Obi, and safeguard Nigeria’s democratic space ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Ejiofor made the call in a statement titled “Weekend Musings: Nothing Must Happen to Peter Obi,” released on Saturday, following remarks reportedly made by Obi during a prime-time interview on Arise TV.

According to Ejiofor, Obi’s expression of concern about his personal safety and whether he would remain alive until the 2027 presidential election should not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric.

He argued that such concerns should prompt vigilance and preventive action by relevant state institutions rather than partisan reactions.

Ejiofor also referenced recent incidents involving opposition political activities, including complaints attributed to Obi about difficulties encountered by opposition politicians while campaigning in some states.

He specifically cited the incident in Benue State involving the reported obstruction of Obi’s convoy.

Ejiofor noted that competing accounts had emerged from Obi and the state government, while the police had confirmed that the visit was known and that security personnel were providing protection.

He added that responsibility for the alleged obstruction remained disputed.

The statement also raised concerns about what Ejiofor described as inflammatory political rhetoric, threats and alleged obstruction of opposition activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

He maintained that political competition should allow all legitimate candidates to reach voters and that public office should not be used to unlawfully restrict political opponents from campaigning.

According to him, constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression, association and movement are essential to ensuring that Nigerians can participate freely in the political process.

“The political space belongs to the Nigerian people; it does not belong to any governor, political party or presidential candidate,” Ejiofor said.

He urged authorities to scrutinise reports of intimidation and obstruction without automatically accepting every allegation against political actors as established fact.

He further expressed concern about reports of ethnic rhetoric and warned that inflammatory statements could deepen political and ethnic tensions in the country.

Ejiofor called on the Federal Government, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and state authorities to ensure that presidential candidates are able to participate peacefully in the electoral process and that citizens are free to hear and evaluate competing political messages.

He particularly urged President Tinubu, as President and Commander-in-Chief, to ensure that the security and democratic environment remains conducive to peaceful political competition.

Ejiofor warned that any serious incident involving a major political candidate could have consequences extending beyond the individual concerned and potentially affect the wider electoral environment.

He therefore advocated preventive measures, arguing that authorities shouldEjiofor Urges Tinubu to Protect Peter Obi Ahead of 2027 address potential threats before they escalate into violence.

“The real test is whether the Nigerian Republic can conduct a political contest in which every legitimate contestant can campaign, every citizen can listen, every party can organise peacefully, and every disagreement is ultimately settled by the ballot and the law rather than by intimidation, coercion or violence,” he said.

Ejiofor also urged Nigerians and state institutions to act on warning signs before they develop into a crisis.

“Nigeria must not wait for blood before rediscovering the value of peace,” he said.