Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the February 25, 2023, election, Mr. Peter Obi has described the news of the death of Senator Annie Okonkwo as devastating and narrated how he spent time with the former lawmaker while he was sick in the United States of America (USA).
Mr. Obi, in a tweet, in which he acknowledged Senator Okonkwo as “one of the strongest pillars of support” in the journey to a New Nigeria, noted that his “highly entrepreneurial spirit and political sagacity will be greatly missed in the country today.”
He said: “I received with huge shock, the devastating news of the death of Senator Annie Okonkwo. I was aware that he was sick, but I prayed and hoped for his full recovery. 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.
“He 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.
“Senator Okonkwo’s highly entrepreneurial spirit and political sagacity will be greatly missed in the country today. On behalf of my family, the Labour Party and the Obidient family, I sincerely condole his immediate family, and all of us, who mourn him.
“May God Almighty, who it pleased to call him home at this time, grant him eternal rest, and grant his family, and all of us, the fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss. -PO.”
