Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has joined other Abians in mourning the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Prof Uche Ikonne.
Ikpeazu, in a statement he personally signed, directed all flags in Abia PDP offices to be lowered and flown at half mast in honour of the late Professor with all political and administrative activities in PDP offices suspended until Monday January 30.
He 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.
“As a mark of honour to our dear departed brother, I hereby direct that all flags in Abia State PDP offices be lowered and flown at half mast while all campaign activities for the party at all levels be suspended until Monday, 30th January, 2023.
“I urge all PDP leaders and members to remain calm as we navigate through this difficult period together. “
Abia PDP chairman, Rt. Asiforo Okere in a statement through the vice chairman and Publicity Secretary of the party, Hon. Amah Abraham described Ikonne’s death as painful.
“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.”
