By CHARLES IWUOHA

Former Abia State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Emma Nwaka, has disclosed that the late Ogbonnaya Onu surrendered his Presidential ticket in 1998 for democracy to gain roots in Nigeria.

This was contained in a statement he personally signed and made available toNews Expresson Thursday.

Nwaka who expressed sadness over the news of the death of Onu, the first elected civilian governor of Old Abia State, saying it came to him as a rude shock.

He said: “l and Onu have come a long way together, dating back to the Third Republic in the early 90s. It was in his time as governor that I won an election to the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“But for Onu’s sense of justice, my Senatorial ambition would been a pipe dream. At that time, Afikpo North and South Local Governments, along with Ohaozara, Onicha, and Isuikwuato made up Abia North Senatorial District.

“Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, in the spirit of equity and balance, took the position that the Isuikwuato axis should produce the Senator for the District, given that he had emerged governor from the Afikpo end.

“Not a few people from his area were unhappy with him, but he stood his ground. Ever since, I have continued to enjoy a robust relationship with Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a quintessential gentleman with whom you knew where you stood, come rain or shine.

“Dr. Onu was a man of very simple taste, even as governor. He was not materialistic. Had he been the governor of Abia State for four years, the story of the state would have been different.

“Even though his tenure was short-lived, he left behind some indelible footprints. He was even handed in the distribution of developmental projects with the meagre resources available at the time.

“Abians will never forget him in a hurry. Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu had called me just before Easter and expressed the desire to see me. When I called back to firm up our appointment, he said to differ it. Little did I know that that would be our last earthly conversation.

“By his death, Nigeria has lost somebody who firmly believed in the Nigerian Project, a man who without fuss surrendered his presidential ticket for democracy to gain roots in our dear fatherland.”