Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06LAGOS1040
2006-07-28 09:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Lagos
Cable title:
FRONTRUNNING LAGOS PDP GUBERNATORIAL ASPIRANT
how-toVZCZCXRO3762 RR RUEHMA RUEHPA DE RUEHOS #1040 2090949 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 280949Z JUL 06 FM AMCONSUL LAGOS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7699 INFO RUEHZK/ECOWAS COLLECTIVE RUEHUJA/AMEMBASSY ABUJA 7647
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
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
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