President Bola Tinubu has mourned the first civilian governor of Abia State, Ogbonnaya Onu who died on Thursday at the age of 72.
Tinubu in a statement by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale also extended his deepest condolences to the Onu family over the passing of their patron.
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“The President mourns a luminous star in Nigeria’s political firmament. The first civilian governor of Abia State; former minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, a principal draughtsman in the founding of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and a valiant partner in the victory of the party in the 2015 elections,” Ngelale said.
“Most importantly, 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.”
Ngelale said Tinubu also affirms that Chief Onu epitomizes Nigeria in concord and wholeness, as the late statesman believed in and defended the country’s unity, advocated peace, and promoted fellowship across the Niger.
The spokesman added that the President also condoles with the friends and associates of the late Onu, Ebonyi and Abia State Governments, and all Nigerians grieving this gaping loss.
“President Tinubu prays to God Almighty to grant repose to the gentle soul of this great leader,” Ngelale stated.
Reports said Onu who served as minister in the President Muhammadu Buhari administration died on Thursday morning at an Abuja hospital.
Onu contested for APC’s presidential ticket during the 2023 general election but lost to President Tinubu at the primaries in 2022.
He was the first civilian governor of Abia State and was the minister of science, technology, and innovation of Nigeria from November 2015 until his resignation in 2022.
