The presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, on Tuesday attended the Service of Songs held in Lagos in honour of the late Nkechi Stella Rhodes-Vivour, the mother of African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain and Lagos governorship candidate, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.
Obi’s appearance at the event comes weeks after the passing of Rhodes-Vivour’s mother was announced, and follows criticism from some supporters on social media who had accused the former Anambra State governor of remaining silent over the bereavement.
Speaking during the service, Obi reflected on the loss and paid tribute to the deceased while urging those present to live upright lives.
“I will ever have an opportunity of being in this type of sad situation when people are paying wonderful, good tributes of people?
“I say maybe God has a reason why God is taking the best out of us. Because I always say if God was looking for bad people in Nigeria, He would be overwhelmed.
“So if He takes the good one, it’s just to allow those who are remaining to be able to change their ways.
“So may God continue to be with this family and bless them always. And all of us, God bless all of you.”
Rhodes-Vivour announced his mother’s passing on July 13 through a statement posted on his official X account. He described her as a loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother whose life was marked by love, compassion and selfless service.
“With sadness in our hearts and gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the call to glory of Nkechi Stella Rhodes-Vivour (née Waboso),” he wrote.
“A loving wife, devoted mother and grandmother. The epitome of love. She will be sorely missed. May her beautiful soul rest in perfect peace.”
The announcement, issued on behalf of the family by Olawale Rhodes-Vivour, was accompanied by a memorial tribute describing the deceased as a gentle spirit whose warmth and kindness touched everyone around her.
Following the announcement, politicians, associates and supporters from across the country publicly expressed their condolences. However, Obi’s absence from the early wave of public tributes drew criticism from some supporters, with many questioning why the former Labour Party presidential candidate had not publicly mourned with his longtime political ally.
Obi and Rhodes-Vivour were central figures in the Labour Party’s impressive performance in Lagos during the 2023 general elections. They campaigned together across the state and became the faces of a movement that attracted significant support, particularly among young voters.
Obi won the presidential election in Lagos, defeating candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Rhodes-Vivour finished second in the governorship race with 312,329 votes behind Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC, who secured 762,134 votes.
Since then, both politicians have taken different political paths ahead of the 2027 general elections. While they initially joined the ADC after leaving the Labour Party, Obi later moved to the NDC to pursue his presidential ambition, whereas Rhodes-Vivour chose to remain in the ADC.
In May, Rhodes-Vivour declared on X, “I want to make it clear that I am staying in the (ADC).”
After facing criticism from members of the Obidient movement over his decision, he appealed for patience, insisting there were reasons he could not immediately disclose.
“Thank you so much for the love, the support not just for me, for the movement, for H.E Peter Obi, but also for Nigeria. Please believe that I will never ever take the support of the Obidients for granted,” he wrote.
He added, “I understand how you feel and how you see things in this moment. I only ask you for a bit of time. There is so much I wish I could explain.”
Rhodes-Vivour also recalled the criticism he faced when he left the Peoples Democratic Party for the Labour Party before the 2023 elections.
“I remember how PDP supporters on this App ridiculed and laughed me to scorn when I left to LP in 2022. I remember how that story ended,” he said.
He added, “I only ask that you hold on till the end of the month. I promise you at the end of 2027 we will be closer than we were in 2023.”
