Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne, the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections, died, and condolences have poured in from various political parties, colleagues, and well-wishers.
They include the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, the All Progressives Grand Alliance governorship candidate, Greg Ibe, the PDP state leadership, the ADC state chapter, and many others.
The state governor directed that all flags in the Abia State PDP offices be lowered and flown at half-mast, and that all campaign activities for the party at all levels be suspended until Monday, January 30, 2023, in a press release he personally signed.
He urged all PDP leaders and members to maintain their composure as “we navigate through this difficult period together.”
Also Read: IKONNE, THE ABIA PDP’S GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE, HAS DIED.
“His (Ikonne) death is very painful, coming at a time when he was recuperating from illness and had shown great signs and willingness to join us in the second leg of our ward-to-ward tour that is ongoing across the 184 wards in the 17 local government areas of Abia State,” said Abia PDP Vice Chairman/acting state Publicity Secretary, Abraham Amah.
“As a mark of respect and love for the soul of our fallen compatriot, the state party hierarchy hereby suspends all campaign activities for three days beginning tomorrow.”
The party urged its members to remain calm and steadfast while waiting for further instructions from the party’s leadership.
According to Sir Longman Nwachukwu, Director-General of the Gregory Ibe Campaign Organisation, Ibe, the APGA’s Abia State governorship candidate, “has received with rude shock, the unfortunate death of the PDP governorship flag bearer, Professor Uche Ikonne.”
He expressed condolences to the Abia State Government, particularly Governor Ikpeazu, and the PDP family on the death of the erudite scholar and illustrious son of Abia.
He stated that Ikonne would be remembered for his numerous transformations in the field of optometry throughout the country, as well as his contributions to the development of Abia State, particularly in the educational sector.
To pay tribute to the late Ikonne, a fellow governorship candidate and academic colleague, Ibe announced an immediate suspension of all political activities, including the publication of campaign materials and the transmission of radio and television jingles, until further notice.
Read: AYU DESCRIBES IKONNE’S DEATH AS A HUGE LOSS FOR PDP AND NIGERIANS.
Don Norman, Chairman of the Abia ADC, also expressed regret, saying, “a good man has gone.”
“It’s mysterious how good people don’t last,” he added. Prof. Uche Ikonne has indeed left this earth, but he never truly leaves, because he is still alive in our hearts and minds, and he lives on through us.”
Similarly, Emeka Nwankpa, the Accord Party’s governorship candidate in the state, described Prof Ikonne as a worthy brother, saying his death came as a rude shock to him.
“Nothing could be more heartbreaking than the news of Prof Uche Ikonne’s death,” he says. He was a deserving brother and co-contender for the governorship.
“Despite our political differences, we respected each other. I needed him to be alive to help me build a new Abia State when I became governor.”
Ikonne was an optometrist by profession and had served Abia State in a variety of capacities, including rector of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba, and vice chancellor of the state-owned Abia State University Uturu.
Goodluck Ibem, President General of the Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders, lamented the death of the learned scholar.
