By Abiola Olawale
An All Progressives Congress, APC presidential aspirant in the 2023 election, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu has passed away at the age of 73 years.
It was gathered that Onu, who was the first civilian governor in Abia State, breathed his last in Abuja on Thursday.
Though details surrounding his demise remain sketchy at the time of filing this report, it was gathered that the APC chieftain has been battling with an undisclosed ailment.
Onu’s last major public appearance was during the APC primary election in 2022 when he alleged injustice against the people of Southeast.
Reacting, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization, and former Governor of Abia State, Orji Kalu, expressed sadness over the passing of the former Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation.
Kalu in a condolence message described the politician as a nationalist who has a passion for unity and the progress of Nigeria.
He said: “The demise of former Governor of Abia State, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu is a huge loss to Ndigbo and Nigeria in general.
“The late statesman was a consummate politician and selfless philanthropist who was committed to nation-building.
“Having served meritoriously in various capacities in the public sector, his wise counsel on national issues will be greatly missed.
“He will be remembered for his outstanding leadership qualities. The former governor will be greatly missed.”
Also, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general elections, Peter Obi, described the demise of Onu as a great loss to Nigeria.
The former Governor of Anambra state who took to his official X handle described Onu as a patriotic and detribalized Nigerian whose achievements remain commendable
Obi tweeted: “It is with deep sadness that I received the reports of the death of my dear elder brother; the first civilian governor of Abia State and former minister of science, technology, and innovation, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.
“Dr Onu was a gentleman par excellence, a patriotic and detribalised Nigerian who served the nation in different capacities. His contributions to our educational growth as a lecturer and author remain commendable.
“Dr Onu was a leader who stood for peace and progress of the nation. He pursued justice and courageously stood up for equity and good governance. He was committed to the development of the nation.
“As one who understood the critical need to move our nation from consumption to production, he pursued many initiatives to boost local production for the development of the nation.
“His death is, undoubtedly, a huge loss to the nation. May God console his family, and all of us who mourn him, and grant us the fortitude to bear his sad irreplaceable loss. May God grant him eternal rest. -PO”
Similarly, former Minister of Digital Communications, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami) who took to his official X handle tweeted: “We lost our colleague & elder brother, His Excellency, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, CON FNSE, FNSChE, FAEng, the First Civilian Governor of Abia State, Minister of Science, Innovation & Tech 2015-2022). Our heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives, associates, Abia State & Nigeria.”
The National Vice Chairman (South-East) of the party, Dr Ijeoma Arodiogbu, has also mourned the death of one of the founding fathers of the APC.
“You remember he was a presidential candidate but had to drop his ticket for Chief Olu Falae when the presidency was zoned to the South West.
“During the merger, he was one of the founding fathers of the party and remained a party man until his death. He was a big wig of the party in the South East. We will miss him so much,” Arodiogbu told members of the press.
The New Diplomat reports that former president, Muhammadu Buhari, had in November 2015 appointed Onu as the Minister of Science and Technology.
A graduate of the University of Lagos, Onu became a teacher at St. Augustine’s Seminary in the Ezzamgbo area of Ebonyi State.
After the completion of his doctoral studies at the University of California, he became a lecturer in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Port Harcourt, where he rose to become the pioneer head of the department.
The ex-minister began his political career as an aspirant for a senatorial seat in the old Imo State under the umbrella of the National Party of Nigeria.
In 1991, he contested for the position of Governor of Abia State on the platform of the National Republican Convention and won.
Onu was sworn in as the first executive governor of the state in January 1992.
On May 6, 2022, Onu resigned his ministerial appointment to join the APC presidential race, which he lost to President Bola Tinubu.
