Photo: Obi sympathizing with Madam Nwolie during his visit
By Mandy Park
The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Peter Obi, has pledged to support the mother of Ifeanyi Nwolie, his supporter who was reportedly shot dead during a political activity in Enugu State.
Obi, who attended Nwolie’s burial in his hometown of Afa, Udi Local Government Area of the state, on Thursday, promised to stand in for the deceased and provide financial support to his mother.
The former Anambra State governor also offered to pay the equivalent of the monthly stipend Nwolie used to send to his mother, covering 15 months up to December 2027.
In a statement issued by the Peter Obi Media Office and signed by its spokesman, Idris Zekeri Jnr, Obi said he travelled from the United Kingdom to attend the burial.
The statement quoted Obi as saying that he arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, at 5:30am and immediately boarded a 7am flight to Enugu for the funeral.
Nwolie was reportedly shot during a political activity involving the NDC on October 10, 2026.
Describing the incident as tragic, Obi said the death underscored the human cost of Nigeria’s increasingly hostile political environment.
He said, “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.”
Obi, who disclosed the visit to the bereaved family in a post on his X handle, called on political candidates across the federal, state and local government levels to reject violence, ethnic divisions and religious intolerance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged political parties and their candidates to focus their campaigns on issues capable of improving the country rather than resorting to violence and divisive rhetoric.
According to him, democracy can only thrive when citizens are allowed to express their political preferences and participate in the electoral process without fear of intimidation or attacks.
“The process through which we attain public office is more important than the office itself,” he said.
The NDC candidate further stressed the need to uphold the rule of law, warning that its erosion could lead to disorder and anarchy.
He called on Nigerians to work towards building a country where human life is valued above political ambition and citizens can exercise their democratic rights in peace and safety.
“A new Nigeria is possible,” Obi added.
