The Abia North Senatorial Zone candidate of the Labour Party, LP in the 2023 general election, Chief Nnamdi Iro Oji (Opotoyom) has expressed shock at the news of the death of the People’s Democratic Party governorship candidate, Prof Eleazar Uche Ikonne, whose passing was announced by the Abia State Governor and PDP leader in the state, saying it is a colossal loss to the state.

In a brief statement, he signed and made available to the Press, the grassroots mobilizer and pragmatic leader expressed regret at the passing of the renowned educationist whose impact in the academic field of Abia state cannot be overemphasized considering his role in the education systems of Abia State when he had shot at the leadership level.

“Indeed, Abia State has lost a great man, a renowned reductionist and perfect gentleman whose contributions to education in the state are well known.

“The vacuum his demise has created is such that cannot be filled in a long time. I pray God to repose his soul in his bosom and console the wife, the children, and the entire family for such a great loss.”, he prayed.

Before his death, Prof Uche Ikonne was the preferred candidate of the incumbent Governor, Okezie Victor Ikpeazu for the Abia 2023 gubernatorial race.