Ikpeazu, Obi Suspend Campaigns In Honour Of Dead Abia PDP Guber Candidate

The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi have announced the suspension of their campaign activities over the death of Uche Ikonne.

TalkGlitz had reported that Uche Ikonne had died in the early hours of Wednesday at the National Hospital, Abuja.

Ikonne had received treatment at a United Kingdom hospital but was rushed to the Abuja hospital after his illness relapsed.

Reacting, Ikpeazu in a statement directed that all flags in Abia state PDP offices be flown at half-mast and all campaigns suspended until January 30.

“It is with a heavy heart but total submission to the will of God that we announce the passing of our Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for the 2023 general elections, Prof Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, which sad event took place in the early hours of today at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness,” the statement reads.

“While we condole with the family of the late Professor of Optometry, the PDP family and Abians in general, we pray God to have mercy on his soul, grant him eternal rest and give everyone affected by his unfortunate demise the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

“As a mark of honour to our dear departed brother, I hereby direct that all flags in Abia State PDP offices be lowered and flown at half-mast while all campaign activities for the party at all levels be suspended until Monday, 30th January 2023.

“I urge all PDP leaders and members to remain calm as we navigate through this difficult period together.”

On his part, Peter Obi, in a tweet on his verified Twitter handle, announced the suspension of the LP presidential campaign scheduled to hold in Abia on January 31.

“I was shocked to read the sad news of the death of Prof. Uche Ikonne, the Peoples Democratic Party’s Governorship Candidate in Abia State. I sincerely commiserate with the Abia State Governor, H.E. Okezie Ikpeazu; the PDP Family and the entire people of Abia State on this very sad development,” the LP candidate said.

“May God Almighty, who called him home grant him eternal rest in His Kingdom, and grant his immediate family, and the good people of Abia state the fortitude to bear his irreplaceable loss.

“In deference, we have postponed our Labour Party’s Presidential Rally in Abia state, earlier scheduled for 31st January to 4th February, to allow a week of mourning for the deceased.

“May God Almighty continue to protect and bless the good people of Abia State, and our nation Nigeria.”