Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) Peter Obi has pledged continued financial support to the mother of his slain supporter Ifeanyi Nwolie offering to stand in as her son following the alleged killing of the young man in Enugu State.
Obi who attended Nwolie’s burial in his hometown of Afa Udi Local Government Area reportedly gave the bereaved mother a 15-month stipend covering payments through December 2027 according to a statement issued by his media office and signed by its spokesman Idris Zekeri Jnr on Thursday.
The former Anambra State governor also condemned political violence and called on candidates contesting the 2027 general elections to reject violence ethnic division and religious bigotry.
Obi said Nwolie was shot during a political activity organised by the NDC on October 10 2026.
He described the death as a painful reminder of the human cost of what he called Nigeria’s toxic political environment.
According to the statement Obi arrived at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja from the United Kingdom at 5:30 a.m. before connecting to a 7 a.m. flight to Enugu to attend the burial.
During a visit to the deceased’s mother after the funeral Obi assured her of his support recalling the role her son had played in caring for her.
‘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 urged political parties and candidates to ensure that their campaigns focused on policies capable of improving the country rather than violence and divisive rhetoric.
‘Democracy thrives when citizens can freely express their political choices and participate in the electoral process without fear. The process through which we attain public office is more important than the office itself’ he said.
He stressed the need to uphold the rule of law warning that its erosion could create conditions for disorder and anarchy.
‘We must work together to rebuild and restore a Nigeria where human life is valued above political ambition and where every citizen can exercise their democratic rights in peace and safety’ Obi said.
In a related development Obi condemned an alleged AI-generated image purportedly depicting him Cardinal John Onaiyekan and the NDC governorship candidate in Enugu State Sir Chinyeaka Oha seeking Pope Leo XIV’s blessing for electoral victory.
The Peter Obi Media Office in a separate statement described the image as deceptive and accused unnamed political opponents of attempting to draw the Catholic Church into partisan political activities.
It called on political actors to refrain from using the Pope and the Church in partisan campaigns stressing that religious institutions should be respected and allowed to carry out their spiritual responsibilities without political interference.
The statement said Obi’s campaign was focused on addressing poverty insecurity corruption and economic hardship while expanding opportunities for young Nigerians and promoting a society in which citizens could live with dignity and hope.
It also challenged political opponents to engage in issue-based campaigns and present their records policies competence character and vision for the country.
‘The 2027 election must focus on Nigeria’s future not fabricated religious controversies’ the statement quoted Obi as saying.
He urged candidates to concentrate on the challenges facing Nigerians and offer practical solutions rather than promote religious controversies.
‘Let us keep the Church separate from politics and focus the campaign on the genuine issues facing Nigerians’ he said.