PEOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in 2003 election and former Lagos State Works Commissioner, Chief Funso Williams was yesterday killed by suspected assassins in his Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos residence.
His death came barely three weeks after another governorship aspirant on the platform of Advanced Congress of Democrats (ACD) in Plateau State, Chief Jesse Aruku, was shot dead in Jos, the state capital by unknown gunmen.
However, according to a family source, Chief Williams, an engineer and a top contender for PDP governorship ticket in 2007 was strangulated and butchered by assailants in his study inside his residence on 184 Corporation Avenue, Dophin Estate.
Another account said the late politician's legs and hands were tied in his bedroom before he was shot dead by the assassins between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m.
Daily Champion gathered that late Williams had arrived from a political rally about 1 a.m. yesterday and retired to his bedroom before the hoodlums gained entry to his house.
A member of the family, amidst tears informed our correspondent that the assailants never gave their victim any opportunuity even as he pleaded with them for mercy.
Daily Champion learnt that eight people including four mobile policemen, two private security guards and two house maids (names withheld) have already been arrested and handed over to the police.
Another staff of the household told our reporter that as at the time the assailants got entry into Williams' bedroom, none of the four mobile policemen guiding him was around.
This, according to the sympathizers brought to fore the way the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige was assassinated on December 23, 2001
Following the murder of Mr. Williams, the Deputy National Chairman (South) PDP, Chief Olabode George has ordered the cancellation of the party's political rally slated to hold at Eti Osa local government, yesterday.
Chief George however summoned an emergency meeting of the party's chieftains to deliberate the next line of action.
Confirming Williams' death, Force Police Public Relations Officer (FPPRO), Mr Haz Iwendi said police orderly and other security men attached to Williams have been quizzed.
Iwendi, a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) said the assailaints tied his hands and legs before killing him.
According to Iwendi who accompanied the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Sunday Ehindero to Williams' residence, the deceased died in his room.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Mr. Emmanuel Adebayo joined other sympathizers who had trooped the house of the deceased to assess the happenings in the premises and console the family members.
Daily Champion recalls that last Sunday loyalists of the former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe clashed with those of the slain Williams thereby causing tension in the state chapter of the PDP.
The conflict started when Senator Ogunlewe who hails from Ikorodu refused to condone the siting of Funso Williams Campaign Offic at Ogbara House on Ayangburem Road. He saw it as an affront.
As meeting of the Williams' group was going on at the campaign office when Ogunlewe's supporters reportedly invaded the venue at about 2:30 p.m. and hot arguments developed into a fracas.
Despite the fact that the police were called in to stop the fighting, scores of supporters from both sides incurred different degrees of injuries.
Daily Champion.