The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the 2023 general election in Ebonyi State, Dr Ifeanyi Chukwuma Odii, has said the late Dr Ogbonnaya Onu died when Nigeria needed him the most.
In his tribute to the first executive Governor of the old Abia State, Odii described Onu as a great statesman who has done his work and left his footprints on the sands of time.
This was contained in a statement issued by the politician and made available to journalists.
Odii noted that the late Onu excelled in everything he did, lived a fulfilled life and impacted humanity positively, saying he was a quintessential scholar, academician, politician and patriotic leader.
“He was also a prolific writer and purveyor of knowledge. As the first executive Governor of old Abia State, Dr Onu’s patriotism and selflessness manifested as he tenaciously laid a solid foundation for the development and progress of Abia State.
“Today the indelible marks of his footprints remain bold on the infrastructural foundations and the body politic of God’s own state. He was a renowned democrat,” the PDP chieftain said in the tribute.
Odii added that the sacrifices Onu made ahead of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999, when he patriotically without bitterness relinquished his presidential ticket in favour of Olu Falae stands tall till eternity.
“Dr Onu redefined politics without bitterness, he stood for ideologically driven politics, he was a steadfast politician who was never driven by pecuniary gains but a man ruled by a strong principle of integrity and honesty.
“Onu was one Nigerian politician who never believed in defection, irrespective of the attractions.
“While he served as the longest-ever minister of the Federal Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation. Dr Onu exemplified service to the country.
“He was never controversial, he was never accused of any form of malfeasance, neither the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, nor the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission, ICPC ever featured Dr Onu’s name in their bulletin- he was that trusted, he was that honest.
“As an Igbo man and a Nigerian, we will mourn his loss but much more, we will celebrate him for he did us proud while he lived”, the statement stated.
Onu departed when Nigeria needed him most- PDP stalwart, Odii