The former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Nkanu Nnamdi, son of renowned Nigerian author Chimamanda Adichie and her husband, Dr Ivara Esege.
Obi conveyed his condolences in a statement shared via his X account on Thursday, where he said he had closely followed the child’s illness and shared in the family’s hope for recovery.
“I have been following Nkanu’s illness since my beloved sister, Chimamanda, first informed me on January 2nd. During this difficult time, I felt a deep sense of empathy for her and her family,” Obi said.
He added, “I shared in their anxiety, prayed earnestly, and hoped for his recovery. Therefore, the news I received yesterday morning was profoundly heartbreaking.”
According to a statement issued on Thursday by Omawumi Ogbe on behalf of the family, the 21-month-old baby passed away on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, after a brief illness.
The family, in the statement, said it was devastated by the loss and appealed for privacy. “The family is devastated by the loss and requests that their privacy be respected during this difficult time,” the statement read.
Expressing personal grief, Obi said the loss was especially painful for the child’s parents. “I am personally devastated, thinking of the immense pain my dear sister must be experiencing as a mother, along with her husband, Dr Ivara,” he stated.
