Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, Abia State, as well as the All Progressives Congress, APC, have expressed shock and sadness over the sudden death of the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Abia State, Professor Uche Ikonne.
APGA Chairman, Rev. Augustine Ehiemere, in a condolence message, described Ikonne’s death as unfortunate and painful.
Just as the APC governorship candidate, High Chief Ikechi Emenike, described the death of Ikonne as saddening.
Rev. Ehiemere in a statement Thursday, noted that the former Vice Chancellor had made some contributions towards the development of the education sector.
APGA said that the demise of the late Professor of Optometry was a huge loss not just to the family but the entire state.
The party condoled with members of Ikonne’s immediate family and the PDP over the, and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
APGA said It had already suspended all political activities as announced by its governorship candidate, Professor Greg Ibe, in honour of Ikonne, as well as the Abia South senatorial candidate, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, among others.
Similarly, the APC governorship candidate, Chief Ikechi Emenike, in a statement, 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 condoled 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.
Ikonne died at the National Hospital Abuja on Wednesday, January 25.
He was last seen in public on November 22 after his public presentation at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
