The Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Wednesday, expressed shock over the sudden death of the party’s governorship flag bearer in Abia State, Prof. Uchenna Eleazar Ikonne.
The National Working Committee (NWC) of the party said it received with shock the devastating news of Ikonne’s death at the National Hospital, Abuja.
The PDP, through a statement by its spokesman Debo Ologunagba, said: “Alas our hearts bleed; Prof. Ikonne’s death is indeed a big blow not only to the PDP family but also to Abia State and the nation in general.
“Prof. Ikonne was an outstanding and committed member of our party, who contributed to the continued success of the PDP in Abia State and our country.
“He was a committed patriot, very brilliant academician, seasoned optometrist, and excellent administrator, who gave himself to the service of his people and humanity, and for which the people of Abia State were resolved to elect him as Governor of the State.
“The national leadership of the PDP deeply commiserates with the family of Prof. Ikonne, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the Abia State chapter of the PDP as well as the entire people of Abia State and prays to God to console us all and grant eternal rest to the faithful departed.”
Atiku, through a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe, described Ikonne as an erudite scholar of repute with vast experience in administration, whose contributions to advancing knowledge within the academic community will be appreciated by generations unborn.
The former Vice President recalled his last encounter with Prof Ikonne during which he led a delegation of Abia PDP stakeholders to his residence in Abuja.
“He (Pro Ikonne) was at his intellectual best in the robust discussions that I had with his delegation.
“We shall miss his ever-smiling face with sense of humour which stood him out at all times,” Atiku said.
Atiku noted that as a strong member of the PDP, who should have led the party to victory in the forthcoming general elections in Abia State, his death came as a rude shock.
He expressed his deepest condolences to Ikonne’s immediate family, all PDP members in Abia State, the government and the people of Abia State, who were working to vote him into power on March 11.
He prayed for the repose of his soul.