Stanley Nwabia, a leading social media crusader and media practitioner, has died at age 43.
According to a family source who spoke with The Trent, Mr. Nwabia had septicemia, a blood poisoning and he passed away on Sunday morning [September 29, 2019] after a blood transfusion that went sideways.
Mustapha Hendry, a People’s Democratic Party staffer, told our correspondent that he had spoken with Mr. Nwabia’s wife who was inconsolable.
A University of Lagos graduate of political science, Stanley Nwabia, who was born in Lagos and lived in the southwestern state all his life, was the founder of Ikenga TV, an online platform. He was also the chief executive officer of Firewood media.
Nwabia, was one of the leading opposition voices on social media. He used the Twitter handle @MrStanleyNwabia to draw attention to the social and political issues affecting Nigeria. His elevated intellectualism and ability to inject humour and a human connection to his messages made him a champion on the social media platform.
He was an ardent supporter of former President Goodluck Jonathan whom he credited for inspiring him to join politics.
Though he never joined the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, he spent the last five years showing support for the party and pushing a strong opposition narrative to President Muhammadu Buhari and his government. Due to huge influence online, he was often a target of vicious attacks by supporters of Buhari and his ruling All Progressives Congress online.
His last tweet, four days before his passing was on how he would secure a bright future for his family. “‘Stanley Nwabia, what is the pathway to securing a resilient future for your family?’ Me: That time when rain was falling, I take umbrella outside. I come and see plenty people inside rain. But plenty breeze started blowing, it come and spoil my umbrella. So I come and go inside,” he wrote.
"Stanley Nwabia, what is the pathway to securing a resilient future for your family?"
Me: That time when rain was falling, I take umbrella outside. I come and see plenty people inside rain. But plenty breeze started blowing, it come and spoil my umbrella. So I come and go inside
— Prof Stanley Nwabia (@MrStanleyNwabia) September 25, 2019
Following his passing, prominent Nigerians and other political activists have taken to Twitter to express their shock and admiration for him.
Sad to hear about the passing of @MrStanleyNwabia. He was a great compatriot who fought against injustice and tyranny to the very end. This is a terrible loss for Nigeria. We shall miss dearly. May his soul rest in peace.
— Femi Fani-Kayode (@realFFK) September 29, 2019
Nothing in @MrStanleyNwabia's voice or tweets ever suggested he was ill or going through anything that could take his life. He was one of my biggest fans online and always admired my wife's work. His death comes to me as a huge shock. May the Almighty God rest his soul 🙏 pic.twitter.com/pV7Z7fYMdH
— Ohimai Amaize (@MrFixNigeria) September 29, 2019
Goodnight, Stanley. Your voice, bite of the fierce lion, remains here, bullhorn reminding all of us to look in the mirror before us. You left Nigeria worse than you met it, that was not your fault, that was your point. May you find rest.
Goodnight, Stanley.❤️#RIPStanleyNwabia pic.twitter.com/BVrgkR01vr
— Ikhide R. Ikheloa (@ikhide) September 29, 2019
It was with rude shock that I learnt early this morning of the sudden demise of @MrStanleyNwabia
I refused to believe it until I returned from Church to see that it's true. I'm so devastated. Stanley was an unflinching believer in d struggle for a better Nigeria. RIP my brother pic.twitter.com/RrP5AsGx8C
— Jude C. Ndukwe ANIPR (@stjudendukwe) September 29, 2019
Life is short
Great People should be celebrated while they are still alive.
Truly a dark sunday
May you find solace in the bossom of the LORD ALMIGHTY#RIPStanleyNwabia 🙏🏾— Uti Nwachukwu (@SirUTI) September 29, 2019
I am reading a few tweets as I awake this morning…something not palatable to my hearing at all…@MrStanleyNwabia dead?? 😭😭😭😭😱😱😱 pls who can tell me what's going on? We never met but he was one passionate guy, dogged and all… Father Lord…
— Kate Amaka Henshaw (@HenshawKate) September 29, 2019
Wow, just hearing about @MrStanleyNwabia's death now. This is shocking for me because we went to the same secondary school.
We never met physically after that, but used to relate here. I can still picture him clearly as a 16 year-old in my head.
Speechless.#RIPStanleyNwabia
— Dr Remi Adekoya (@RemiAdekoya1) September 29, 2019
Rest In Peace, my brother @MrStanleyNwabia. Thanks for the fierce bants with me on the TL and the warm friendship and brotherhood with me in the DMs. May God comfort your family.
— Dr Joe Abah (@DrJoeAbah) September 29, 2019
Rest in Peace, @MrStanleyNwabia. We differed in everything, politically. We were never friends.
Yet I feel pained that you're saying goodnight so early in the morning.
You deserve to live, and thrive and grow old.
This is a sad end.
May God console your family & friends.
— Nedu Ekeke #LekkiMassacre (@Nedunaija) September 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/TheMbuhari/status/1178221937497186306
https://twitter.com/wildeyeq/status/1178227580119457792
Man
This is so sad
RIP Stanley Nwabia.
May God comfort your family at this very trying time.
— Osi (@Osi_Suave) September 29, 2019
Stanley Nwabia's death is so devastating for me. We have worked extensively over multiple projects, we keep in touch constantly. Upright, brilliant, hardworking, honest guy. Spoke to him last week. This one hits home. I am broken. Rest in peace @MrStanleyNwabia 💔
— Daddy Odanz (@MrOdanz) September 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/IgwehIfeanyi/status/1178235611544723457
A day to remember!
An icon is gone,
His sense of humor is unquantifiable,
One of my boss on political twitter,
I'll miss you greatly, rest in perfect peace 😢 😢 😢 Mr Stanley Nwabia pic.twitter.com/rsWj03Vo1N— Ọláwálé 🇳🇬 🇺🇦 (@walecoker65) September 29, 2019
Our dear @MrStanleyNwabia died this morning after a brief illness.
Dear Stanley Nwabia, we would miss your voice against the anti people's policies of the govt
Another brilliant mind of ours lost to the cold hands of death.
Rest In Peace King!
— Tosin Olugbenga (@TosinOlugbenga) September 29, 2019
