Prof. Uche Ikonne’s death is causing ripples in the State with many party supporters thrown into panic.
By Emma Ogbuehi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abia State was on Wednesday thrown into confusion and mourning with the death of its governorship candidate, Prof. Uche Ikonne.
Ikonne, who has been sick since November, has been reportedly receiving medical attention outside the State.
A statement by his son, Dr. Chikezie Uche-Ikonne disclosed he died at the National Hospital, Abuja, in the early hours of Wednesday.
He wrote: “I regret to announce the death of my dear father, Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, who died at the National Hospital Abuja today, 25th January 2023 by 4am after a brief illness.
“He was recovering after taking proper treatment in the 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.”
Prof. Uche Ikonne’s death is causing ripples in the State with many party supporters thrown into panic.
Abia PDP is yet to make official statement on the death of its governorship candidate.
Speculations about Prof Uche Ikonne’s health challenge became rife, following his sudden withdrawal from public functions.
But on January 17, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, who had kept mum on the issue, finally confirmed that he was ill.
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Ikpeazu made the confirmation in a local radio programme in Umuahia.
The governor, however, said that Prof Ikonne was “recovering gradually and progressively”.
According to him, Ikonne attended some rallies organised by the PDP in Abia, including the November 24, 2022 launch of the party’s state-wide campaign at the Umuahia Township Stadium.
He said Prof Ikonne left the stadium for a gala night, organised in honour of the G-5 governors in his (Ikpeazu) Umuobiakwa country home in Obingwa, “where he managed to give a speech and then he took ill”.
“It is unfortunate that he is lately indisposed, but I want to report some progress and the progress is that Ikonne is recovering gradually and progressively.
“He has left the hospital and is going through convalescence.
“I am sure that he will be strong enough in the future to join,” the governor said.
Governor Ikpeazu urged residents of the state to keep hope alive, assuring them that Prof Uche Ikonne would soon bounce back.
He said his absence from the political space this time “will not define the progress of the campaigns or agenda of PDP in the state.
“It might be the wish of detractors that Ikonne’s absence will linger,” he said.
