The People’s Democratic Party, PDP in Abia State, says it has suspended all party campaigns for three days, ongoing engagements with critical stakeholders among other activities over the demise of its Governorship Flag bearer, Prof. Uche Ikonne.
Addressing newsmen at the party office in Umuahia, late Wednesday, the party’s Vice Chairman/Acting State Publicity Secretary, Hon Elder Ama Abraham, said the party received the news of the death of the erudite professor of Optometry with rude shock, revealing that it has shattered the PDP family in Abia and Nigeria in general.
He said the party has also ordered the lowering of all flags in Abia State while it should be flown at half mast, adding that the PDP, sees his death as unfortunate owing to the fact that few weeks ago, he was recuperating and was eager to join the campaign trail for the purpose of winning the election.
Abraham said the party has commiserated with his family over the demise of such personality, saying that they know what it entails for the family and the PDP to lose such a figure in this critical time.
He said it’s a sad day for everyone, revealing that the State working committee of the party will meet in the coming days and reach out to the family, promising to keep the media abreast with developments.
On the replacement of Prof. Ikonne, the State PDP spokesperson declined comments, saying the party does not have anything to say regarding his replacement as it is still in grief over the demise of the Professor and the Governorship candidate of the party.
The news of the death of Prof. Uche Ikonne, kept the social media awash Wednesday morning. Immediately after his demise, the PDP in the State issued a statement through its Vice Chairman/Acting State Publicity Secretary, Hon Elder Ama Abraham.
The statement reads, “Abia PDP regrets to announce the death of Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne, her gubernatorial candidate in the 2023 general election.
“Prof. Ikonne was, until his death, an optometrist by profession and had served Abia State in several capacities including the Rector of Abia State Polytechnic, Aba and as Vice Chancellor, Abia state University Uturu.
“His 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. Following his death, the State Party hierarchy hereby suspends all campaign activities for three days from tomorrow as a sign of respect and love for the soul of our fallen compatriot.
As we mourn his passage, we commiserate with his immediate family, the Abia State governor, His Excellency Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu, all members of our great Party, the PDP and the good people of Abia State on the death of this illustrious son of the State”.
“We call on the members of the PDP to remain calm, steadfast and await further directives from the leadership of the Party.
May the gentle soul of Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne rest in the bosom of the Lord and may all of us be comforted by our knowledge of the good life he lived on earth,”
