ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Nigerian politicians have started paying glowing tributes to Prof. Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, the Abia State governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who died on Wednesday, 25 January, in Abuja.
The late Ikonne died at the age of 66.
The death of the Professor of Optometry and former Vice Chancellor of Abia State University was announced in a statement by his son, Dr. Chikezie Uche-Ikonne.
The statement reads: āI regret to announce the death of my dear father, Prof. Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, who died at the National Hospital in Abuja today, January 25, 2023, by 4 a.m after a brief illness.ā
Reacting to the death, Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, in a statement he personally signed, said: āIt is with a heavy heart but total submission to the will of God that we announce the passing of our PDP governorship candidate for the 2023 general election, Prof. Eleazar Uchenna Ikonne, which sad event took place in the early hours of today at the National Hospital, Abuja, after a brief illness.
āWhile 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.
āAs 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, January 30, 2023.
āI urge all PDP leaders and members to remain calm as we navigate through this difficult period together.ā
Also, the PDP, in a statement by its spokesman Debo Ologunagba, said: āProf. 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.
āHe was a committed patriot, very brilliant academic, 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.ā
High Chief Ikechi Emenike, the Abia State governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the State PDP Chairman Asiforo Okere; a former National Assembly member and Abia State Women Coordinator of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Senator Nkechi Nwaogu; and Sir Dave Agwalla (Okwadike Abia) also expressed sadness over the death of the PDP candidate.
Meanwhile, Ikonneās death has thrown up a legal challenge for his party, as some lawyers have posited that Ikonneās death has legally terminated his joint ticket with his running mate.
The Section 34 (1 and 2) of the Electoral Act 2022 reads: ā(1) If after the time for the delivery of nomination paper and before the commencement of the poll, a nominated candidate dies, the Chief National Electoral Commissioner shall, being satisfied of the fact of the death, countermand the poll in which the deceased candidate was to participate and the Commission shall appoint some other convenient date for the election within 14 days.
ā(2) The list of voters to be used at a postponed election shall be the official voters register which was to be used if the election had not been postponed.ā