The Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji MNSE has expressed shock at the demise of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate for Abia State at the forthcoming general elections, Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne, describing his death as a painful one and an immeasurable loss to Abia State in particular and Nigeria in general.
The Speaker stated this in a message he signed today in Umuahia on behalf of the Leadership and Members of the Abia State House of Assembly.
He described Prof Eleazar Uche Ikonne as an illustrious Abian who had devoted a better part of his life to the service of the State and expressed sadness that the erudite Professor of Optometry departed at the cusp of a call to higher service to Abia State.
While paying tribute to the exemplary and impactful life of the late Abia Guber candidate, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and urged the family, the Governor, government and people of Abia State to be comforted in the knowledge that Prof. Ikonne was an outstanding achiever who left indelible footprints in the sands of time.
He assured them of the prayers and support of the Abia State House of Assembly through this difficult period.