Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Umo Eno and other top politicians were amongst sympathisers who thronged the palatial Shelter Afrique, Uyo, home of the late former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, which was razed to the ground by a mystery inferno on Christmas Eve, killing the wife, Elizabeth Udo Ekpenyong and her sister, Ms Ofonime Frank.
It could be recalled that Obong Ekpenyong, died in office as a serving PDP chairman, February 2021, of Covid-19 complications, leaving the wife, Elizabeth, as a widow, who also passed on, December 24, along with her sister in a mystery inferno that engulfed their palatial home.
Following the sad incident, LEADERSHIP gathered the state government has approved the request of the transition chairman of Ukanafun local government, Elder Godwin Ekpe, where the late Ekpenyong, hailed from, to declare a 7 – day mourning by Ukanafun indigenes in honour of the dead members of his family beginning from the Boxing Day, December 26 to Monday January 1st, 2024.
Besides, Chairman Ekpe, has announced the cancellation of Ukanafun contingents’ plans to participate in the ongoing Christmas showpiece tagged; ‘Christmas Unplugged’ at the Akwa Ibom Christmas Village, Udo Udoma arena, slated for December 28.
Hon Udeme Idiong, the transition committee secretary, who spoke on behalf of the chairman, said the decision became necessary in order to reflect on the unfortunate tragedy that befell the family of their late political icon.
He said: “Sequel to the tragic fire incident that occurred at the residence of our late state party chairman, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, on 24th December 2023, which claimed the lives of his wife, Mrs Elizabeth Udo Ekpenyong and her sister, Ms Ofonime Frank, the Chairman, Transition Committee, Ukanafun Local Government Area, Elder Godwin Ekpe, has declared a 7 – days mourning period for all indigenes of Ukanafun Local Government from Tuesday 26th of December, 2023 to Monday 1st January, 2024.
“He has also in collaboration with the stakeholders of the local government and, with the approval of the state government, announced the withdrawal of Ukanafun contingents, and cultural performance in the ongoing ‘Christmas Unplugged’ activities earlier scheduled to hold on the 28th of December, 2023.
“While sympathizing with the family of the deceased, we pray for the repose of the departed souls.”
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