EDITORIAL: Conspiracy of Silence Over Attack on Peter Obi in Benin: Who Is the Demigod Everyone Fears?

By Tony Okafor

The recent assassination attempt on former Labour Party Presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, during his visit to Edo State is not just a local incident—it is a national alarm.

The youths of Agulu in Anambra State have rightly condemned this heinous act, warning that the consequences could be catastrophic for Nigeria.

Yet, what is most disturbing is the eerie silence that has followed, especially among the Southeast governors—the very chief security officers from the region where Obi hails.

This silence is dangerous complicity. By failing to speak decisively against this attack, these leaders are inadvertently sending a message: that there exists a demigod in the shadows, a force so untouchable that even those charged with the protection of citizens hesitate to act.

When political leaders, sworn to safeguard lives, choose quietude in such circumstances, they embolden perpetrators and deepen the crisis of governance.

Political differences should never justify this silence. Life, security, and the rule of law must always come before party lines or personal alliances.

The youths’ statement captures this peril succinctly. They assert that any attempt on Obi’s life is unacceptable and dangerous, noting that inflammatory comments from government quarters can incite violent actors who may wrongly believe they are serving official interests.

When intimidation is normalized, the country drifts closer to chaos.

Edo State’s government, whether directly or indirectly, now bears the responsibility to prove its innocence.

A transparent, full-scale investigation is imperative—not for optics, but to demonstrate that the rule of law still exists.

Equally, the federal government and security agencies must intensify protection for Obi and all citizens, especially during this sensitive election period.

Silence, in such circumstances, is surrender to fear and impunity.

Beyond the immediate danger to Peter Obi, this conspiracy of silence threatens the very fabric of Nigeria’s democracy.

Nigerians will not meekly accept a political climate where violence against leaders is tolerated and fear dictates action—or inaction.

If Southeast governors, who should lead this cause, fail to condemn this attack, they risk creating a precedent where intimidation reigns over principle, and demigods—real or imagined—dictate the course of governance.

The country cannot afford such leadership failure. A new Nigeria is possible, but it must be built on courage, accountability, and the protection of lives and property—the very purpose of governance.

The time to act is now, before silence turns into complicity, and complicity into catastrophe.