Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has condemned the murder of Rev. Fr. Tobias Okonkwo, a Catholic priest in Anambra State. In a statement shared on his official X handle, Obi expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy, calling for an end to the violence that continues to claim innocent lives across the country. He described the killing of productive citizens by criminals as deeply troubling and unacceptable.

Rev. Fr. Okonkwo, who was the Manager of the College of Nursing Sciences at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Ihiala, Anambra, was fatally shot along the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway on Thursday. The perpetrators remain unidentified. Reflecting on the loss, Obi said, “The constant killing of our very productive men and women by some bloodmongers is beyond heartbreaking.” He highlighted the widespread insecurity in Nigeria, lamenting that the blood of innocent citizens continues to stain the nation.

Obi extended his condolences to the priest’s family, the College of Nursing Sciences, and the community at large. He prayed for the repose of Fr. Okonkwo’s soul and called for collective efforts to address the insecurity that has plagued Nigeria. He urged authorities to bring the culprits to justice and restore peace across the nation.