By Fidel Ozugha
The first civilian governor of Abia State (1992 – 1993), Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, is dead. He died on Thursday in Abuja.
The cause of his death is not yet known at the time of filing this report, however, it was learnt that the former governor had been battling with an undisclosed ailment.
His last major public appearance was during the APC primary election held in 2022 in which he alleged injustice against the people of Southeast.
Onu was the All Progressives Congress, APC presidential aspirant in the 2023 election, He was appointed Minister of Science and Technology in November 2015 by the former president Muhammadu Buhari.
Aspiring to contest the presidency, he resigned his position on May 6, 2022 and to join the APC presidential race. He lost the election which the incumbent President Bola Tinubu.
Reacting to his demise, President Tinubu, in his condolence message, extended his deepest condolences to the Onu family t o the founding member of APC.
According to the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Chief Ajuri Ngelale, the President “celebrates the life of an accomplished scholar, first-class engineer; a man of proven integrity; defiant to indiscipline, but ever yielding to the highest standards of rectitude.”
The President affirmed that late Chief Onu epitomised Nigeria in concord, wholeness, as the late statesman believed in and defended Nigeria’s unity, advocated peace, and promoted fellowship across the Niger.
Tinubu also condoled with the friends and associates of Chief Onu, Ebonyi and Abia governments, and all Nigerians grieving.
Also, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, LP, in the last general election, Mr. Peter Obi, expressed deep sadness at the news of Onu’s passing.
Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party, LP, presidential candidate in the 2023 presidential election described Onu’s death as a significant loss to the nation, The former governor of Anambra State said it is also a big loss to Ndigbo.
Obi, in his condolence message, hailed the late former Abia governor as a patriotic and inclusive Nigerian leader who served the nation diligently in various capacities.. Highlighting Onu’s notable contributions to Nigeria’s educational advancement, both as a lecturer and an author, Obi said, “Dr. Onu epitomized leadership characterised by a commitment to peace, progress, and justice.
“He courageously championed equity and good governance, leaving a lasting impact on our nation.”
