Victor Ezeja
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the February 25 election, Peter Obi, has expressed shock over the death of a former senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Chief Clement Annie Okonkwo.
Chief Okonkwo, who hails from Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area of the state, died in the United States on Wednesday at the age of 63.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelObi in a series of tweets on Thursday evening, said he received the news of Chief Okonkwo’s death with rude shock, as he has been praying and hoping for the man’s full recovery from sickness.
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He described the deceased as “a veteran of Nigerian politics,” who despite not being a member of the Labour Party, provided very invaluable advice and support during campaigns as he believed in the struggle for a new Nigeria.
“Distinguished Sen. Annie Okonkwo was a veteran of Nigerian politics.
“Despite not being a member of the Labour Party, he was one of the strongest pillars of support in our journey to a New Nigeria. He provided very invaluable advice and immeasurable support during our vigorous campaigns around the nation.”
According to Obi, Chief Okonkwo “persuaded his son, Hon. Uchenna Okonkwo, who was in another party then, to join the Labour Party, where he contested and eventually won a seat at the Federal House of Representatives.”
“After the elections and the subsequent declarations which we are challenging in court today, Sen. Annie Okonkwo did not relent but remained steadfast in his efforts and commitment towards a New Nigeria. When I heard that he was sick, I travelled to the United States to visit and spend time with him,” Obi added.
The former Anambra governor said, “Senator Okonkwo’s highly entrepreneurial spirit and political sagacity will be greatly missed in the country today.”
He condoled with Okonkwo’s immediate family and prayed to God, who it pleased to call him home at this time “to grant him eternal rest and grant his family, and all of us, the fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss.”
