The Sun Awards have conferred on Peter Obi, the former Governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, as the Political Icon of the Year 2023.
The prestigious accolade presented to him on Saturday, February 17 is another milestone in his political career, having previously been awarded The Sun Man of the Year in 2007.
The Sun Awards is the brainchild of The Sun Newspapers Ltd – publishers of one of Nigeria’s most respected print and online news media.
Obi was accompanied to the event by his political protege, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, who contested the governorship election for Lagos State under Labour Party.
In his acceptance speech, Obi said although he is hesitant to accept awards, he was accepting the award and dedicating it to millions of “impoverished Nigerians facing uncertainty about their next meal…especially the youth, who believe in our mission and who have remained committed to our journey for a New Nigeria”.
Continuing, he said “My political journey is about building a better society, and despite the setbacks of the 2023 elections, I urge us to unite beyond tribe, religion, and party affiliations. Together, let’s break free from bad governance and create the New Nigeria we envision.“
Peter Obi came third in the 2023 presidential election garnering over 6 million votes and beating the incumbent President Bola Tinubu in his home state of Lagos, and also at the capital city of Abuja – just a few months after taking over the Labour Party and launching his first presidential bid.
His overwhelming popularity may be attributable to the political tsunami that swept many LP state and federal legislative, and at least one governorship candidates into office from that election, turning the LP from an obscure party into the third-largest in Nigeria’s parliament for the first time since its founding in 2001.
Since the elections and unsuccessful contest of the results in court, Obi has continued a dignified opposition, offering opinions and suggestions on important government and national policy issues.
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