The Speaker of Abia State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Chinedum Enyinnaya Orji has expressed deep sadness and great shock at the death of the late Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor of Abia State, Chief Ukpai Agwu Ukpai whose sudden demise occured on Tuesday, March 30, 2021.

The Speaker who described Chief Ukpai as a very close and long standing family friend, ally, mentor, and associate of the Orji family, is utterly devastated and completely broken by his death.

He further said the Late Deputy Chief of Staff who was as good as his uncle, was a political pillar in Abia State and a stabilising factor in governance lamenting that his loss will surely create a massive vacuum that will be too difficult, if not impossible, to fill.

He prayed God to grant his soul eternal rest and avail his family, friends and associates the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.