Former PDP National Secretary, Sir Rex Onyeabo, Passes Away at 80

By David Odama

The family of Sir Rex Chuma Onyeabo, former National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has announced his death at the age of 80.

In a statement issued on Thursday, his son, Dr. Obiora Onyeabo, said the PDP chieftain died peacefully on August 7.

“With heavy hearts but gratitude to God for a life well spent, the Onyeabo family of Enugu State announces the passing of our patriarch and statesman, Chief (Sir) Rex Chuma Onyeabo (KSM),” the statement read.

A founding member of the PDP, Sir Onyeabo served as the party’s National Secretary in 1999 and remained on its Board of Trustees until his passing.

According to the family, funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.

Sir Onyeabo was an alumnus of Carnegie Mellon University, USA, where he studied engineering. He held several chieftaincy titles, including Eze-Ugo I of Abuja Igbo Community, Onwa na-etili Ora I of Ugbawka, Ijele I na Akaegbe-Ugwu, and Ada-Idaha of Efik Kingdom.

In public service, he served at both federal and state levels, holding positions such as Deputy Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Capital Development Authority, Chairman of the Governing Councils of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital and University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, and Permanent Secretary in the Enugu State Ministry of Works, Housing, and Transport.

A devoted Catholic, Sir Onyeabo was a member of the Noble Order of Knights of St. Mulumba and an active member of Catholic communities in both Abuja and Enugu.