The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has expressed grief on the death of the governorship candidate of Abia State Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Professor Uche Eleazar Ikonne.
Ikonne died at the age of 67.
Ohanaeze consoled the state governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, over Ikonne’s death.
Okechukwu Isiguzoro, the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze, described Ikonne’s death as unfortunate while extolling the exemplary and outstanding virtues of the deceased while alive.
The pan-Igbo organization noted the immense contributions, ideas, and uncommon roles of Ikonne in the medical profession, academic development, and stability of Abia State, and the entire South East.
According to Isiguzoro, the deceased’s “peaceful disposition earned him numerous appointments including [as] Rector Abia State Polytechnic Aba, 7th Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University Ututu and the PDP ticket for the Abia guber elections.”
Ohanaeze further grieved that Ikonne died at a time his vast and rich wealth of experience, lofty ideas, and wise counselling are needed towards “consolidating numerous monumental giant strides achieved by Governor Okezie Ikpeazu-led administration in the past seven years in Abia state.”
A statement by Isiguzoro reads: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo call on the Government of Abia State to immortalize late Professor Ikonne for his patriotism and unquantifiable sacrifices. The new Government House should be named after the deceased.
“And we equally want to use this medium to call on the state government to honour this great gentleman with an organized befitting burial interment for his supportive sacrifices.”
The apex Igbo group consoled the Ikonne family, the PDP in Abia State, the government, and the people of Abia state on the shocking demise of “this worthy Igbo leader.”