President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended “his deepest condolences to the Onu family over the passing of Chief Ogbonnaya Onu, who passed away on Thursday at the age of 72.
A statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale reads: “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.
“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.
“President Tinubu affirms that Chief Onu epitomizes Nigeria in concord; in wholeness, as the late statesman believed in and defended Nigeria’s unity, advocated peace, and promoted fellowship across the Niger.
“The President also condoles with the friends and associates of Chief 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.”
Dr Onu was also an APC Presidential aspirant in the 2023 election, losing to President Tinubu.
Sources confirmed that the APC chieftain has been battling with an undisclosed ailment for some weeks and was at the point of being taken abroad for further treatment when he died in an Abuja hospital on Thursday morning.
Dr Onu’s last major public appearance was during the APC primary election in 2022 when he alleged injustice against the Igbos, in a fiery speech.
Former President, Muhammadu Buhari, had in November 2015 appointed Onu as the Minister of Science and Technology but he resigned his position on May 6, 2022 to join the APC Presidential race.
