PDP Marks 20 Years Since Funsho Williams' Death

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos Mainland Local Government Area held a memorial service on Monday to mark 20 years since the death of Olufunsho Williams, a former governorship candidate who was killed in 2006.

The service took place at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Yaba. It was themed, “A Life of Service. A Legacy of Integrity. An Inspiration Forever.”

Mr. Williams was murdered at his home in Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos, on 27 July 2006. This happened shortly before the PDP was set to choose its candidate for the 2007 Lagos State governorship election. He had previously run for governor in the 2003 election but lost to Bola Tinubu, who later became Nigeria’s president.

Even after 20 years, questions about his murder still linger. Six men were tried in connection with the case, but the killing remains unsolved.

During the trial, a key witness, Oladapo Obafunwa, who was the Chief Forensic Pathologist of Lagos State, testified in 2014. He stated that Mr. Williams died from a lack of oxygen due to manual strangulation. He also mentioned that the autopsy revealed wounds that could be seen as defense injuries.

Who was Funsho Williams?

Mr. Williams was born in Lagos in 1948. He was a civil engineer, technocrat, and politician with a career that spanned the Lagos State civil service, the private sector, and politics.

He studied civil engineering at the University of Lagos and later got a master's degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in the USA.

He joined the Lagos State civil service in 1974. After about 17 years in construction projects, he retired as a Permanent Secretary in 1991. He later became the Commissioner for Works under the military government of Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

Before entering politics, Mr. Williams served on the boards of several companies, including Julius Berger Nigeria Plc and Cappa and D’Alberto Plc. He also chaired the board of the National Maritime Authority.

His political journey included various platforms, starting with the Alliance for Democracy when Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999, before joining the PDP. He ran for the Lagos governorship in 2003 and was seen as a strong candidate for the PDP's ticket before his death in 2006.

His murder came at a crucial time, just days before the PDP was set to choose its candidate for the governorship election.

Bola Tinubu, the then-Lagos Governor, faced accusations from some people regarding the assassination but always denied any involvement. He offered a reward of N10 million for any information leading to the arrest of the killers.

‘We lost a gem’ - Bode George

At the memorial service, Bode George, a former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, shared memories of Mr. Williams’ death. He said he was one of the first people to see Mr. Williams’ body.

“Funsho was an epitome of civility, an icon, a humanist, a gentle but very deep human spirit. We lost a gem,” Mr. George said.

He called the memory of the murder painful, noting he was among those who found Mr. Williams and alerted the police.

Mr. George urged those in government today to think about Mr. Williams’ death and the lessons it teaches.

“It’s a very sad memory for me, because I was the one that saw him on the floor. We called the police, and the president at that time invited Scotland Yard from London to join the investigation. It was all messed up.

“Those in government today should use today as a reminder that we should change course for the good of this country,” he said.

He also expressed faith in the future of the PDP.

“Our party, the Peoples Democratic Party, will never die in this country,” Mr. George stated.

Doherty: Williams’ legacy goes beyond PDP

Funso Doherty, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate for the 2027 Lagos election, said Mr. Williams’ influence is not limited to the PDP.

“The late Funsho Williams is a man who has a shining legacy, not just within one political party, but across the state and the nation. He has left giant footprints,” Mr. Doherty said.

In a tribute on his X account, he described Mr. Williams as a statesman known for his competence, integrity, and commitment to public service.

Mr. Doherty mentioned that Mr. Williams saw governance as a duty to the people, not a chance for personal gain.

He said Mr. Williams' focus on peaceful politics, transparency, and accountability is still important for those wanting a better Lagos and Nigeria.

Mr. Doherty also reflected on the state of opposition politics in Nigeria, saying that the space for opposition parties has shrunk since Mr. Williams’ death.

“PDP, like all other opposition parties today, is under threat. The space for the opposition is very limited. We seem to have regressed since Funsho Williams’ time,” he said.

Former Labour Party governorship candidate in Lagos, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, also honored Mr. Williams in a brief post on X.

“We remember. Omoluabi Eko. Rest on Captain,” he wrote.