2019: Annie Okonkwo retires, says SDP is party for tomorrow

One of the national leaders of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Senator Annie Okonkwo, who once represented Anambra Central Senatorial zone, has announced his retirement from active political contests.

In his stead, he presented Chief Tony Chukwuelue, his former legislative aide, who he described as the engine room of his office as a senator, who drafted all his bills, motions and all his activities, to replace him in the senate next year, and his first son, Uche Annie-Okonkwo, who is contesting for the Idemili Federal Constituency, both on the platform of SDP.

Unveiling both candidates yesterday at the main bowl of the Rojenny Stadium, Oba in Idemili South Council of Anambra State, Okonkwo said there comes a time in the life of a man of vision and contentment to raise his hands and thank God for His abundant mercies and blessings in his life, adding: “Then you bow out or step aside and assume the merited position of a counsellor and elder statesman that you have become and then keep guiding and directing the younger ones. That time, for me, is now.”He described Chukwuelue as an embodiment of legislative knowledge, experience and intelligence and whose legal background remains an asset to the nation, not just the zone.

Deputy National Chairman of SDP, Senator Ebenezer Ikeyina, who handed the party’s flag to both candidates and others, urged the electorate to vote massively for the “most organised and peaceful party’s candidates”

Chukwuelue said he was highly elated to be tutored and introduced by two honourable senators and political tacticians in the Southeast, appealing to the mammoth crowd of supporters who thronged the venue to vote him and other candidates, who he assured, were well prepared to take the state to a place of political prominence. Uche said now is the time for the youth who are well grounded and full of life and zeal to rise to the occasion.