By NewsCritic Reporters
The Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has been thrown into mourning mood following the death of its governorship flagbearer in the 2023 General Election, Prof Uche Ikonne.
It is almost two months since the former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, disappeared from the political scene over an undisclosed ailment. Though rumour had it then that the PDP standard bearer for Abia State was dead, however, the information was not true then.
It was only two weeks back that Gov Okezie Ikpeazu told Abians in a radio programme that Prof Ikonne was sick and recuperating, promising that he would be back soon to rejoin the campaign trail.
Abians awaiting the return of Prof Ikonne could not have been less disappointed today Wednesday 25 January, 2023 when the family announced his death via a statement signed by the son Dr Chikezie Uche Ikonne.
The statement read thus: “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”.
The announcement of his death has thrown open the question of who replaces him as the PDP governorship flagbearer for Abia state with less than two months to the election.
While a section is tipping Mayor Lucky Igbokwe aka Don Lulu as possible replacement, being that he came second position at the party’s primaries, others argued that there is no law that say that the candidate who came second should fly the party’s flag in this situation.
Yet some analysts have suggested that the running mate Hon Okey Igwe might be used to replace the PDP candidate, if the powers that be would agree to allow power shift to Abia North. Whatever is the likely scenario, the PDP in Abia State has a situation at hand at the moment that if not handled properly might make or mar the party in Abia.
