In a formal letter addressed to Donald Trump, Dr. SKC Ogbonnia, a former APC presidential aspirant and vocal advocate for democratic integrity, has called for international accountability following the February 24, 2026, attack on frontline opposition leader Peter Obi.
The incident, which occurred in Benin City, Edo State, saw gunmen trail Obi’s convoy and open fire at the residence of former Governor Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
While Obi escaped unharmed, the assault left vehicles riddled with bullets and property destroyed—a chilling reminder of the deteriorating state of democratic safety in Nigeria.
A Failure of State Protection
The primary duty of any government is the protection of its citizens. Yet, as Dr. Ogbonnia points out, the brazen nature of this attack—occurring in broad daylight and in the presence of security forces—suggests either a "deliberate failure" or "abject complicity" by the state.
Most damning is the silence from the Presidency. Three days after the attempt on the life of a former presidential candidate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has failed to issue a formal
condemnation.
In the world of high-stakes politics, silence is often a form of speech. Ogbonnia argues that as the Chief Security Officer of the nation, Tinubu’s refusal to act decisively makes him the ultimate beneficiary of an atmosphere of fear.
The "Do-or-Die" Legacy
In the letter Dr. Ogbonnia contends that this violence is not an isolated event but the "apex of a sustained pattern of political
intimidation."
He draws a direct line from Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos (1999–2007) noted for the suppression of opposition and the unsolved assassination of Funsho Williams to the current national stage.
With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the letter suggests that a "do-or-die" mentality has replaced democratic debate. Other opposition voices, such as Omoyele Sowore, have echoed these sentiments, claiming that police brutality and illegal detentions under the current administration have reached levels not seen since the military era.
Targeting the Opposition Base
The letter highlights a disturbing trend of ethnic and political disenfranchisement, specifically targeting the Igbo people—Peter Obi’s ethnic group.
Recalling the 2023 elections in Lagos, where voters in opposition strongholds were threatened with violence and "forced into the lagoon," Ogbonnia warns that the Edo attack is a continuation of this strategy: using terror to silence the political base of rivals.
A Plea for Global Intervention
Addressing Donald Trump as a "standard-bearer for the free world," Dr. Ogbonnia’s plea is clear: Nigeria is sliding toward a de facto one-party state. When the rule of law is eroded and opposition leaders are hunted, the stability of the entire region is at risk.
The letter concludes with a stern warning: the world cannot afford to look away while Nigerian democracy collapses.
Holding leadership accountable today is the only way to prevent a total descent into chaos tomorrow.
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