FRONTRUNNING LAGOS PDP GUBERNATORIAL ASPIRANT

UNCLAS LAGOS 001040 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/W STATE FOR INR/AA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV NI SUBJECT: FRONTRUNNING LAGOS PDP GUBERNATORIAL ASPIRANT FUNSO WILLIAMS MURDERED ¶1. Chief Funso Williams, a leading contender for the PDP's nomination to run for Governor of Lagos State in 2007, was murdered in his home in Ikoyi, Lagos, in the early morning July 27. Williams had returned home around 2 a.m. after a long meeting with his political allies. He apparently was in bed at the time of the attack. Preliminary reports say six intruders entered the home, bound Williams' hands and feet, and stabbed him repeatedly. There were also signs of strangulation. ¶2. Williams' cook and personal assistant were in the home during the killing, as was a detail of four mobile police assigned to guard Williams. However, none were injured nor apparently responded to the intrusion. All six have been arrested by police. Williams' wife and children are currently in the US. There was no sign of an attempted burglary. ¶3. Williams' murder comes just five days after a PDP rally in Lagos was abbreviated when supporters of rival candidates became violent. Several party members were injured and a number of party officials and candidates narrowly escaped injury. Many observers are drawing a link between last week's violence and Williams' murder. Lagos is abuzz with the news of this murder and the political temperature here has risen and now is in keeping with the season of the year. This will help make for a hot summer. BROWNE