By Muhammad Mamman
A senior figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics has alleged that an assassination attempt on former presidential candidate Peter Obi was orchestrated by agents of the government, escalating political tensions in Africa’s most populous nation.
Kenneth Okonkwo, a prominent ally of Obi and member of the opposition movement, claimed that the alleged attempt on Obi’s life was not a random act but a coordinated operation carried out by individuals linked to state authorities.
Speaking during a media appearance on Tuesday, Okonkwo said there were indications that the attack bore the hallmarks of “official complicity”, though he did not publicly provide detailed evidence to substantiate the claim. He called for an independent and transparent investigation into the incident.
“There must be a thorough probe to uncover those behind this,” Okonkwo said, warning that any attempt to intimidate opposition figures would undermine Nigeria’s democracy.
The federal government has not officially responded to the allegation at the time of publication. Security agencies also declined to comment when contacted by reporters.
Obi, who was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, remains a central figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics. Since the election, he has continued to criticise government policies, particularly on economic management and governance reforms.
Political analysts say the allegation, if not swiftly clarified, could deepen partisan divisions and heighten political uncertainty. Nigeria has witnessed periods of political violence in the past, especially during heated election cycles, though direct claims of state-backed assassination plots against high-profile politicians are rare and highly sensitive.
Civil society groups have urged restraint in public commentary while calling on authorities to ensure the safety of all political actors, regardless of affiliation.
