Ikpeazu explains choice of late Ikonne, pays condolence visit to family

As Abia PDP holds valedictory service for its late Chairman

From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia

Abia State governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, and his wife, Nkechi, on Wednesday, February 1, 2023, visited and condoled with the Ikonne family over the death of their father and erstwhile Gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 election in the state, late Professor Uche Ikonne; same day Abia State chapter of PDP organized a valedictory service in honour of a former chairman of the party in the state, late Chief Ndidi Okereke.

Ikonne whose death occurred on Wednesday, January 25, 2023 at the National Hospital, Abuja was also the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu and emerged the Abia PDP guber candidate after his tour of duty in the university.

During the visit, Ikpeazu explained that he preferred late Ikonne to succeed him by May 29, 2023 because of his commitment to the Abia project.

According to the Governor, his love, vision and dream for a better Abia led him to Professor Uche Ikonne as a worthy successor from 29th May 2023 because of his (Ikonne’s) “forthrightness, courage, record of service, experience and dedication to Abia State.” 

At the solemn condolence visit to the Umuahia residence of the Ikonnes, the Governor described Prof. Ikonne’s demise as” shocking, enormous and irreparable,” adding, however, that no one can question the Almighty God.

He regretted that all human efforts made to save the life of the late Ikonne proved abortive, saying that it was clear that God called him home. 

According to the Governor, the late Ikonne was a “good, fearless and courageous man who also died in his belief in Christ.”

Ikpeazu expressed the hope that a glorious life awaits the departed Abia PDP governorship hopeful hereafter and urged his wife, who is the State Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Lady Uzoamaka Uche Ikonne, his first son, Dr Chike Uche-Ikonne, family members and others affected by the late Ikonne’s death to take heart.

Responding on behalf of the family, the first son of the deceased, Dr Chike Ikonne, thanked the Governor for identifying with the family in their moment of grief and for the role he played in ensuring that their father lived, stressing that they have accepted the misfortune as the will of God.

The Governor later signed the Condolence Register before leaving the residence. 

The Wife of the Governor Dr Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, the Member representing Umunneochi State Constituency, Hon. Barrister Okey Igwe who is the Deputy Governorship Candidate, and some stakeholders, including Dr. Chris Odinaka Igwe, Rt Hon. Chinedum Elechi, Elder Raymond Aliga, amongst others accompanied the Governor  during the condolence visit.

In a relateddevelopment, Abia State chapter of PDP as held a Valedictory Service in honour of a former Chairman of the party in the state, late Chief Ndidi Okereke.

The valedictory  service for late Chief Ndidi Okereke who passed on late last year was held on Wednesday, February 1, 2023 at Michael Okpara Auditorium, Umuahia.

The event was graced by party heavy weights including Governor Okezie Ikpeazu and his wife, Dr Mrs Nkechi Ikpeazu, Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, Senator Representing Abia Central, Chief TA Orji, and the state PDP Chairman Dr Asiforo Okere.

Others were a former Deputy Governor, Chief Acho Nwakanma; the Abia North Senatorial Candidate Senator, Mao Ohuabunwa; PDP candidate for Abia Central Senatorial seat, Col. Austin Akobundu; a former Speaker of Abia House of Assembly, Chief Chikwendu Kalu, Pioneer Chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, many other party stalwarts, as well as friends and family members who took turns to eulogise the deceased.

Speaking at the event held at the Micheal Okpara Auditorium Umuahia, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu described the late Chief Ndidi Okereke as a giant both in stature and intellect who made strategic contributions to the development of Abia State and the growth and stability of the Abia PDP, adding that he would be sorely missed.

The Governor noted that the death of the former PDP Chairman was a personal loss to him, said the PDP family in Abia state would find it difficult to fill the vacuum created as a result of his death.

He said: “The late Ndidi Okereke towered across the length and breadth of this country spreading and preaching love, unity and togetherness with an infectious smile.

“I feel a deep sense of personal loss because of his pivotal role from 2015, in particular, till he was called by Our Maker.

“Our consolation is in the promise of our Lord Jesus that He will make everything right in its time.”

Ikpeazu urged the immediate family, the Umunneochi people, as well as the PDP family to take heart and prayed God to grant the soul of the deceased eternal rest.

He assured that the state government would play its own role in giving the deceased a befitting burial.

Also Speaking, the Deputy Governor, Sir Ude Oko Chukwu, said that the deceased was a humble personality who contributed immensely to the development of the state and the PDP family, adding that he acquitted himself creditably in all assignments given to him.

In his speech, the Senator Representing Abia Central Senatorial District, Chief T.A.Orji, described the deceased as a progressive man and an all rounder who left behind indelible footprint on the sands of time, adding that death remains a mystery that cannot be understood by mere mortals.

In their separate speeches, the SSG Mr Chris Ezem, a former NDDC Chairman Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, and the Acting State Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Chief Abraham Amah, described late Chief Ndidi Okereke as patriotic, kind, philanthropic and committed to every responsibility assigned to him and regretted that he died at a time his wealth of experience was needed most.

Earlier in his sermon, Pastor Henry Onyegbu of the Rehoboth Gospel Church, who spoke on the topic, “Living With Eternity In View,” noted that man’s life was temporary, hence the need for all to live a godly life with the consciousness that life must end one day.