PDP’s guber candidate dies in Abia

… Okezie calls for calm, suspends campaigns

GOVERNORSHIP candidate of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) for the forthcoming March 11 gubernatorial election, Prof. Uchenna Eleazar Ikonne, is dead.

  Ikonne’s death was disclosed in a statement signed by his son, Dr. Uche Ikonne and shared on social media by Abia State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Mr. John Okiyi Kalu, yesterday.

  Explaining that Ikonne died in an Abuja hospital around 4:00am, the statement attributed his death to an illness that started after his campaign flag-off in Umuahia, on November 24, 2022.

  “I regret to announce the death of my dear father, Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, who died at National Hospital Abuja today (that was yesterday), 25th January, 2023 by 4am after a brief illness. He was recovering after taking proper treatment in 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,” the statement reads in part.

  It will be recalled that Prof. Ikonne was a former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu.

  Meanwhile, Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, has ordered for flags to fly at half-mast all over the state.

  The governor also appealed for calm among PDP members, urging them to mourn flag bearer respectfully.

  Ikpeazu issued the directive in a press statement personally signed by him to commiserate with Ikonne’s family, yesterday.