The Abia State governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA),Professor Greg Ibe, has announced the immediate suspension of all his political activities following the death of his Peoples Democratic Party, PDP counterpart, Professor Uche Ikonne.
Ibe said the action was in honour of the late Ikonne who he said was a fellow governorship flag bearer, university don and illustrious son of Abia.
This is as the former Leader, ECOWAS Parliament and the PDP senatorial candidate for Abia North, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, has expressed rude shock over Ikonne’s demise.
Similarly, the governorship candidate of Action Alliance, AA, Onyekwere Akym Uche (OAU), has described Ikonne’s death as unfortunate and saddening.
In the same vein, Accord Party governorship candidate, Bishop Dr Emeka Nwankpa, who described Ikonne as a worthy brother, said his death was a rude shock to him.
“Nothing could be more saddening than the news of the death of Prof Uche Ikonne. He was a worthy brother.
“Though, we were political opponents, we had mutual respect for each other. I needed him alive to join me in building a new Abia State when I become Governor”, Nwankpa said.
Professor Ibe, in a statement by the Director General of his Campaign Organization, Dr Longman Nwachukwu, commiserated with the Ikonne’s family, Abia State Government and the PDP over the death of the former Vice Chancellor.
He said that Professor Ikonne would be remembered for his numerous contributions to the development of our dear state , especially as the Vice Chancellor of the Abia State University Uturu.
“As a mark of honour to the late Ikonne who was a fellow governorship candidate and colleague in the academic profession, Professor Ibe has announced immediate suspension of all his political activities, including publication of campaign materials and transmission of radio jingles till further notice”, the statement said.
He prayed God to grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss and to also grant his soul eternal repose in heaven.
In his reaction, the AA governorship candidate, Onyekwere said he received the news of Ikonne’s death with bitterness, and prayed God to comfort his family.
Senator Ohuabunwa said he was still in shock over the news of the PDP governorship flag bearer, describing his death as a big blow to the PDP family.
The former Leader ECOWAS Parliament described Ikonne’s demise as a monumental loss to Abia State and Nigeria in general.
He commiserated with the members of his immediate family, the PDP, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and the good people of Isiala Ngwa North.
Senator Ohuabunwa prayed God to grant the family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
He also prayed God to accept the soul of the departed.
The PDP senatorial candidate for Abia North urged for prayers for members of the bereaved family at this trying moment.
In his response, the APC governorship candidate, High Chief Emenike has expressed sadness over Ikonne’s death.
In a statement issued in Umuahia shortly after the news of the passage of Ikonne was officially announced by the family of the deceased, Emenike said that he received “the bad news with rude shock”.
He described the death of his fellow governorship contender as “a sad development for Abia State in the ongoing democratic process”.
The APC governorship hopeful condoles with the Ikonne family, the Government and people of Abia, as well as the ruling Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).
While he prayed for the peaceful repose of the late academic, Emenike urged the family of the deceased and all those affected by his demise to bear the loss with fortitude.
In his response, Chief Ikoh described Ikonne’s death as very unfortunate, and prayed God to console members of the bereaved family as well as the PDP.
Similarly, the ex – NDE boss and the Abia Central senatorial candidate of the Young Peoples Party, YPP, Chief Wachuku, has expressed shock and sadness over the death of Ikonne.
Chief Chuku Wachuku has condoled the entire family of Ikonne over the death of Professor Uchenna Eleazar Ikonne, who until his death was the Governorship Candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, in Abia State.
Wachuku in a condolence message personally signed by him, said he was traumatized by the news of Ikonne’s passage.
” My heart goes out to the immediate family; the wife, children and particularly Dr. Chikezie Ikonne over the sudden departure of their patriarch and my dearly beloved younger brother”, Wachuku said.
The statement further read:”Professor Ikonne and I had enjoyed close and cordial relationship as brothers. I feel pained that he had to exit the stage at a time like this. I mourn my dear brother, I feel sorrow in my heart, I pray for the peaceful repose of his soul.
“Receiving the most terrible news of the year even on my way to Umuahia for a scheduled programme, I had to suspend my movement.
“I have further directed that all my activities be put on hold for the rest of the week, to respect and honour a great brother and erudite son of Nsulu, with whom I had shared so many things in common.
“I urge Abians and our people to pray for the family and NOT to play politics with issues of of his unfortunate death, bearing in mind that God alone is the author and finisher of our lives.
“Rest in peace, my dear brother !!! Chief Wachuku prayed God to grant the family, Nsulu people and the entire people of Abia State the fortitude to bear the loss. (Vanguard)
