Former governor of Abia state, Ogbonnaya Onu is dead.
Family sources informed Elendu Reports that Onu died at a hospital in Abuja this morning.
The American trained scientist, teacher and politician was 71 years old.
Ogbonnaya Onu was a lecturer at University of Port Harcourt before he made a foray into National Politics during the scuttled transition to civilian rule of former president Ibrahim Babangida from 1991 to 1993.
He was elected governor in 1992 and served till the late Sani Abacha overthrew Ernest Shonekan’s administration in 1994.
Onu remained in politics and made a few attempts to run for President.
He resigned as minister of science and technology in the Buhari administration to contest the presidential primaries in 2022.
There is palpable feeling of sadness and disappointment in Abia, Ebonyi and indeed the entire states of the south-east at the passing of the former Abia governor.
His family is yet to make a formal statement following his demise.
This reporter had visited him in March of 2023 with his long time friend, Dr. Chekwas Okorie, the founder and pioneer chairman of APGA.
There were signs then that Onu was not in good health. Another friend of his, on inquiry had informed us that he suffered stroke soon after the APC Presidential Primaries where his performance was considered abysmal as he got less than 5% of the votes.
As at the time of this we were yet to speak with Chief Chekwas Okorie.
