By Marcus Ikechukwu
Chekwas Okorie, presidential candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), in the 2023 elections, has described the death of Uchenna Ikonne, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gubernatorial candidate in Abia state, as sad.
Chekwas in a statement personally signed by him on Thursday, eulogized Ikonne, saying his death was a monumental loss to the people of Abia state and Nigeria in general.
This newspaper reported that Ikonne died on Wednesday from a brief illness.
Until his death, he was the PDP gubernatorial candidate for Abia state.
Mourning the late Ikonne, the APGA chieftain said, “I received with sadness the news of the death of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidate in Abia State, Professor Uchenna Ikonne in Abuja on 25th January 2023.
“He was an illustrious son of Abia State, a renowned Professor of Optometry, former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, a remarkable administrator, and a quintessential politician. His death is a monumental loss to the people of Abia State he served in various capacities and desired to govern.
“Words alone cannot adequately convey the sense of loss l felt over his departure at a time his wise counsel and contribution to the development of Abia State and sustainable democracy in Nigeria is needed.
“My thoughts and prayers are with members of his family, the Government and people of Abia State, and his political associates in this period of grief.
“The greatest honour to be bestowed on him is to conduct free, fair, credible, transparent, inclusive and peaceful elections in the state in which he was a gubernatorial candidate”.
