The death of Senator Clement Annie Okonkwo, a former Nigerian Lawmaker and business tycoon, has left a vacuum in the Nigerian political arena, and in the hearts of Nigerians.
Annie Okonkwo, unlike other Nigerian politicians cared less about amassing wealth for himself, his attention had over the years shifted from becoming wealthier to impacting positively in the lives of the people.
In business, he built a conglomerate employing over 7,000 people that includes firms such as Reliance Telecomm, Clemco Industries, Modern Communications (satellite TV Network), MacClemm Marketing Communications, Sunflower Nigeria and Pentagon Oil.
Okonkwo was elected Senator for the Anambra Central constituency of Anambra State, Nigeria, taking office on 29 May 2007.
He was elected under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
After taking his seat in the Senate, he was appointed to committees on Upstream Petroleum Resources, Police Affairs, Environment (vice-chairman) and Agriculture.
Having achieved all of these before his death, many persons have hailed Annie Okonkwo as an icon. His achievements are, indeed, huge.
However, there is one thing that he fought so hard to achieve without success. It is the governorship seat of his state.
Annie Okonkwo And His Governorship Journey
Politics in Nigeria is not an easy game, it goes beyond being called a ‘Politician’.
Okonkwo has made great achievements in education, business among others, but when it came to politics, it was a different ball game.
He was part of the upper legislative chamber between 2007 to 2011.
He contested governorship elections in Anambra State on different occasions but failed to win.
The February 2010 elections for Anambra State Governor featured Okonkwo as a very strong contender.
However, he lost to the incumbent, Peter Obi, who was reelected.
In 2014, his name surfaced again in the list of candidates for Anambra State governor.
This was as the tenure of the incumbent Governor, Mr Peter Obi, was coming to an end.
Tempo of political activities had risen sharply in the state, as candidates who want to contest began to emerge.
Senator Annie Okonkwo was among the old contenders who made another attempt at the governorship contest.
Others include, Dr Obinna Uzoh, Dr Alex Obiogbolu, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Prince Nicholas Ukachukwu, Senator Emma Anosike, Mrs Uche Ekwunife.
Again in 2021, reports emerged that Okonkwo will contest for Anambra governorship race.
But Okonkwo in a statement he personally signed and made available to journalists, expressed dissatisfaction over the misleading reports.
“My attention has been drawn to some reports in the media that I have joined the Anambra governorship race.
“I want to state that I have no knowledge about the reports that I have joined the upcoming Anambra governorship race.
“This is to let the public know that I am not running for any political position in 2021.
Future Hope
According to him, if he will ever contest for the governorship seat in future, it will be directly communicated to his people.
”If it will happen, it will be directly communicated to Anambra People.
“I urged the people of Anambra to disregard such misleading reports.”
Also Read: Senator Annie Okonkwo Is Dead
I want to also use this opportunity to urge those behind such misleading publications to desist from such act.”
After all political struggles, Annie Okonkwo developed a terminal condition – lungs cancer.
Sadly, he recovered, but also experienced a relapse that now led to his death.
He died in the United States.
