A former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim has expressed shock and sadness over the demise of erstwhile deputy governor of the state, Ebere Udeagu.
Ohakim in a statement dated October 10 asserted that Udeagu’s death is more regrettable having occurred at a time Imo State and indeed the country needed him most.
He described Udeagu’s wealth of experience as a seasoned politician as an asset which would have come handy as the country prepares for another election season.
According to the erstwhile governor, Udeagu’s candour as an elder statesman will be missed as the country grapples with existential challenges that need all her best hands in the political and social engineering spheres to see her through.
Ohakim further noted that Udeagu as a politician was one of the greatest apostles of politics without rancour.
According to the Okohia Isiala Mbano-born former governor, the deceased manifested an uncommon humility that endeared him to all when he served as deputy governor of Imo State.
He recalled that Udeagu showed maturity and accepted the result of the 2011 governorship primary poll of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP with equanimity.
Ohakim submitted that Udeagu was one of the few deputy governors of his time who put partisan bitterness aside to lend support to incumbent administrations for the overall imterest of the state and her people.
The former governor, who dropped out of the 2023 Imo North Senatorial District race on ground of zoning declared that the entire state will miss the deceased former deputy governor.
He further stated that his political family has lost an ally following Udeagu’s demise even as his natural family joins millions of other Nigerians to pray to God to comfort the bereaved family.
Udeagu served as deputy governor of Imo State between 1999 and 2007 under Chief Achike Udenwa.
He was presidential running mate to Alhaji Attahiru Bafawara in 2007.
Udeagu, a water engineer hailed from Ihube in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.
He died on Monday, October 10, 2022 at a hospital in Owerri at the age of 79 years.
