PDP, Atiku, Ikpeazu mourn Abia Gov candidate, Prof. Ikonne

.Party to hold primary within 14 days

Obiora Ifoh, Abuja and Steve Unegbu, Umuahia

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said it received with great shock the devastating news of the sudden death of its Party’s Candidate in March 11, 2023 Governorship election in Abia State, Prof. Uchenna Eleazar Ikonne, who died Wesnesday morning at the National Hospital, Abuja.

The party in a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba said, “Alas our hearts bleed; Prof. Ikonne’s death is indeed a big blow not only to the PDP family but also to Abia State and the nation in general.

“Prof. Ikonne was an outstanding and committed member of our Party who contributed to the continued success of the PDP in Abia State and our country.

“He was a committed patriot, very brilliant academician, seasoned optometrist and excellent administrator, who gave himself to the service of his people and humanity, and for which the people of Abia State were resolved to elect him as Governor of Abia State.

“The National Leadership of the PDP deeply commiserates with the family of Prof. Ikonne, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the Abia State Chapter of the PDP as well as the entire people of Abia State and prays to God to console us all and grant eternal rest to the faithful departed.

“The NWC calls on all leaders, members and supporters of our great Party as well as the people of Abia State to remain prayerful for Prof. Ikonne’s family, the PDP and Abia State for this irreparable loss.

“The NWC directs that the PDP flags at the Party’s National Secretariat, Abuja be flown at half-mast in mourning of the death of this outstanding Nigerian.”

Abia State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP has 14 days to elect a new guber candidate following the death of Prof. Uche Ikonne.

The family Wednesday morning announced the death of the PDP guber candidate throwing the entire party into confusion.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was reported to have earlier begun search for a replacement as the fear grew that Ikonne’s health situation was dicey.

with the current situation in Abia Governor Ikpeazu and his PDP have 14 days to hold a fresh Governorship primary.

Section 33 of the 2022 Electoral Act says, “A political party shall not be allowed to change or substitute its

candidate whose name has been submitted under section 29 of this Act, except

in the case of death or withdrawal by the candidate .

“Provided that in the case of such withdrawal or death of a candidate, the

political party affected shall, within 14 days of the occurrence of the event,

hold a fresh primary election to produce and submit a fresh candidate to the

Commission for the election concerned. “

Prof Ikonne was a seasoned academic, politician – Atiku

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, in the 2023 Presidential election and former Vice-President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar mourns the loss of Prof. Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, the governorship candidate of the PDP in Abia State.

Atiku Abubakar describes Prof Ikonne as an erudite scholar of repute with vast experience in administration, whose contributions in advancing knowledge within the academic community will be appreciated by generations unborn.

The former Vice President of Nigeria recalls his last encounter with Prof Ikonne during which he led a delegation of Abia PDP stakeholders to his residence in Abuja. “He (Pro Ikonne) was at his intellectual best in the robust discussions that I had with his delegation. We shall miss his ever smiling face, wit and sense of humor which stood him out at all times.”

Atiku notes that as a strong member of the PDP, who should have led PDP to victory in the forthcoming general elections in Abia State, his death comes as a rude shock.

The PDP presidential candidate expresses his deepest condolences to his immediate family, all PDP members in Abia State, the government and good people of Abia state, who were working to vote him into power next month.