The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prof. Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, has been confirmed dead, fundamentally upsetting the party’s preparations for the guber poll in March this year.

The Party has an opportunity as provided in the Electoral Act to produce a replacement before the poll.

The PDP governorship candidate’s death was confirmed i a statement issued by his family on Wednesday.

Ikonne died in Abuja after a brief illness.

Dr Uche- Ikonne Chikezie in a statement on Wednesday January 25, announced the death.

He said: “I regret to announce the death of my dear father, Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, who died at the National Hospital Abuja today, 25th January 2023 by 4am after a brief illness.

“He was recovering after taking proper treatment in the United Kingdom but relapsed a few days ago leading to multiple cardiac arrests for which he didn’t recover from.

“Further details and arrangements would be made known to the public after deliberations and meetings are made within the family.”

Prof. Ikonne was a former Vice Chancellor of the Abia State University, Uturu.