By Uche Mbah
The Abia state Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Professor Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, has passed away.
A brief release from his son, Dr Uche Ikonne-Chikezia, said his father died of multiple Cardiac arrest.
“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,the release said.
“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.”
Ikonne, a Professor of Optometry, was the 7th Vice Chancellor of Abia state University and former Rector of Abia state Polytechnic before venturing into Politics.
He had been off the public and political scene since November 2022. Speculations were rife that he was very unwell. The Governor of the State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, reluctantly confirmed Ikonne’s ill- health, but said he was on his way to recovery.
It is confirmed yet what the position of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, will be on a replacement for Ikonne, seeing that the election is less than 30 days away.
However, the Electoral Act provides a windows of 90 days for any replacement of Candidates by political parties. Already, there is a jostling for Ikonne’s replacement.
The Governorship election is slated for March 11, 2023.
