It is very symbolic as well as historical, that this award is coming on the eve of the anniversary of the February 2023 general elections, where God used you, as an undeniable game-changer to rewrite the narrative in Nigerian politics.”
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – The leader of Labour Party (LP) Caucus in the House of Representatives, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, has hailed the National leader and presidential flagbearer of the party in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, as “an authentic game-changer” as he wins The Sun Political Icon Award.
Hon. Ogene, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Renewable Energy, made this assertion in a congratulatory statement issued in Abuja, on Saturday, February 17, 2024.
Obi, a former governor of Anambra State, was also a Vice Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2019.
Ogene noted that Obi “took the nation by storm when he joined LP before the 2023 general elections and instantly became a household name, leading a political movement, as a presidential candidate, that has changed the political landscape of Nigeria.”
He added that through his leadership, LP won the governorship election in Abia State, 35 House of Representatives seats, eight Senate seats and a number of House of Assembly seats.
The statement entitled, “A Deserved Honour For An Authentic Game Changer”, read thus: “I, on behalf of my family, teeming members of our various support groups and the good people of Ogbaru Federal Constituency, Anambra State, who I represent in the House of Representatives, felicitate our dear Leader and mentor, the great Okwute Nigeria, Mr. Peter Obi, National Leader of the Labour Party, for this well-deserved recognition as The Sun Political Icon awardee, today.
“It is very symbolic as well as historical, that this award is coming on the eve of the anniversary of the February 2023 general elections, where God used you, as an undeniable game-changer to rewrite the narrative in Nigerian politics, and significantly chart the path for a new Nigeria that gives hope and succour to the people.”
Referencing issues in the 2023 campaign season and the current realities in the nation, Hon. Ogene said, “When you advocated an economic policy of prudence, many mocked you as a ‘stingy man’. When you preached the gospel of ‘from consumption to production’ as an economic recovery and revitalisation pathway, a cacophony of partisan inanities focused only on the tiny voice of the messenger and ignored the message.
“But today, cruel pangs of hunger on the streets, arising from the alarming economic situation and depressing living conditions of the people – which have, ironically, united the citizenry – are now insistently reinforcing your foresighted economic messages, to the chagrin of naysayers.
“As you are celebrated once again today, we wish to remind you, Mr. Authentic, that Nigeria, more than ever before, needs your prudent and patriotic services.
“We commend the management and staff of The Sun newspapers, for their sound judgement in making this decision! Congratulations, Leader!”