From Adesuwa Tsan, Abuja
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has pledged to take over the financial support provided by his slain supporter, Ifeanyi Nwolie, to his mother, offering to pay her 15 months’ stipend up to December 2027.
Obi made the pledge when he visited the bereaved mother after attending the burial of Nwolie, who was shot dead during a political activity in Enugu State on 10 October 2026.
The deceased, who hailed from Afa, Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, was one of Obi’s supporters who participated in the NDC political activity that was marred by violence.
In a statement posted on his X handle on Thursday, Obi said he travelled from the United Kingdom to attend the burial, describing the death of his supporter as a painful reminder of the human cost of political violence.
“My humble pledge to the mother is that God Almighty, whom it pleased to bring Ifeanyi home, has also given her another son in me to support her, as Ifeanyi used to,” he said.
Obi, who arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 5:30 a.m. from the United Kingdom, said he immediately connected to the 7 a.m. flight to Enugu to attend the funeral.
“Late Ifeanyi Nwolie was one of my supporters who participated in the recent NDC party political activity marred by violence on 10 October 2026. Tragically, he was shot.
“His death is a painful reminder of the devastating human cost of our nation’s current toxic political environment,” he said.
The former Anambra State governor, while expressing condolences to the family, called on politicians across the country to shun violence, ethnic division and religious bigotry ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“As we approach the 2027 general elections, I appeal to all candidates contesting at the federal, state, and local government levels to reject violence, ethnic division, and religious bigotry.
“Our campaigns and activities must be based on issues that will make our country better. Democracy thrives when citizens can freely express their political choices and participate in the electoral process without fear,” he said.
Obi added that the process of attaining public office was more important than the office itself, warning that political ambition must not be allowed to endanger human lives or undermine citizens’ democratic rights.
“A country’s greatest strength lies in the rule of law. When the rule of law is undermined, the door is opened to disorder and anarchy,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to work towards restoring a country where human life is valued above political ambition and citizens can exercise their democratic rights peacefully and safely.