by Jonathan Lois
The Labour Party’s 2027 presidential candidate, Chibuzo Okereke, has described Nigeria’s 66 years of independence as a journey of endurance, resilience, possibility and hope.
Okereke, in an Independence Day message, said despite the challenges that had confronted the country since independence, Nigeria had survived and therefore remained a nation of hope and possibilities.
He said, “Where there is hope, there is life,” stressing that the country must continue its journey to nationhood by placing Nigerians at the centre of governance.
According to him, the country had witnessed “several slides as well as strides” in the last 66 years, while some of its independence-era challenges remained unresolved.
The Labour Party candidate called for the adoption of what he described as the “Nigerians First Governance Philosophy”, which he said demanded direct, intentional and deliberate love for and by Nigerians.
He said government must exist for the people and work towards advancing the best of humanity.
Okereke also urged leaders to embrace greater empathy, compassion and care in the discharge of their responsibilities, saying such values were essential to building a nation that would uplift its people and improve their wellbeing.
He said the struggle for Nigeria’s independence 66 years ago was inspired by the belief that Nigerians mattered and should be involved in taking charge of their governmental affairs for the greater good.
“At 66, our story is one of endurance, resilience, possibility and hope. Our journey continues, and our responsibility is to ensure that the Nigerian people remain at the heart of that journey,” he said.
Okereke congratulated Nigerians on the 66th Independence Anniversary and prayed that the sacrifices of the country’s founding fathers would not be in vain.
He also expressed hope for a Nigeria where “no man is oppressed.”
