All flags are to fly at half mast at all government institutions in Abia State, as mourning begins over the death of Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne,the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)in Abuja, as announced by the family on Wednesday.
Confirming the incident, hours after the son,Uche-Ikonne Chikezie, announced the development, in a statement, a grief-stricken Okezie Ikpeazu, Governor of the state, also announced the suspension of all political activities at all levels till Monday next week.
The statement, he persnally signed, read: “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.”
Joining in the mourning, Dave Agwalla, Okwadike Abia, in a statement, said: “We, the entire people of Abia state, across political party and ethnic divides, are saddened by the ugly news of the passing on to the great beyond, our erudite Professor and cerebral scholar, Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne.
“The news came as a rude shock, which many are still struggling to grapple or come to terms with.
Prof Ikonne was brilliant, distinguished himself and retired at the peak of his chosen career. He touched so many lives and beyond partisan politics, was a proud and accomplished son of the state, who contributed in no small measure, to human training, growth and development.
“The Prof was definitely not tired, as he prepared to serve his people, at the highest capacity, as governor, when death came knocking so untimely. He was already embedded into the people’s consciousness by virtue of his unconventional robust campaign, without bitterness or animosity towards anyone, to serve the state as her next governor after the elections.
“While we celebrate the life and times of the great Prof lkonne, we pray that the Lord Almighty, console his immediate family, the government and people of Abia state and repose his gentle soul, eternally.”
