The governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has expressed sympathy to the family of deceased PDP candidate for governor, Prof. Uche Ikonne.
Ikpeazu issued a directive on Wednesday ordering all flags in Abia State PDP offices to be lowered and flown at half-mast as well as the suspension of all party campaigning till Monday, January 30, 2023 in memory of the late Abia PDP flagbearer.
The statement said, “It is with a heavy heart but total submission to the will of God that we announce the passing of our Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections, Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, which sad event took place in the early hours of today at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.
“While we condole with the family of the late Professor of Optometry, the PDP family and Abians in general, we pray God to have mercy on his soul, grant him eternal rest and give everyone affected by his unfortunate demise the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“I urge all PDP leaders and members to remain calm as we navigate through this difficult period together”.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance, also, has expressed shock over Ikonne’s passing.
Ikoone’s death is not just a “loss to Abia State but to the entire country having contributed immeasurably to the training of many professionals as vice-chancellor,” according to a press statement released in Abuja on Wednesday and personally signed by the party’s national chairman, Dr. Victor Ike Oye.
The APGA chairman urged other political parties to approach the death with compassion instead of politicizing it.
He asked God to give the deceased’s soul eternal life in heaven and the Ikonne family the strength to endure the terrible loss.