The house of the late Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, was destroyed by fire.
Mrs Elizabeth Udo Ekpenyong, the late PDP chairman’s wife, and her sister, Ofonime Frank, were also murdered in the fire that broke out on the eve of Christmas in the state’s Ukanafun Local Government Area.
The local government’s Secretary of the Transition Committee, Udeme Idiong, revealed this in a statement on Tuesday.
Though the cause of the fire was not stated, the caretaker chairman of the council, Godwin Ekpe, declared seven days of mourning for all local government indigenes.
“Sequel to the tragic fire incident that occurred at the residence of our late state party chairman, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, on December 24, 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, Hon. (Elder) Godwin Ekpe JP has declared a 7-day mourning period for all indigenes of Ukanafun Local Government from Tuesday, December 26, 2023, to Monday, January 1, 2024.
“He has also approved a withdrawal of Ukanafun’s contingent and performance in the ongoing Christmas unplugged activity, which was previously scheduled to take place on the 28th of December, 2023, in collaboration with the stakeholders of the local government and with the approval of the state government.
“We pray for the repose of the departed souls while expressing our sympathy to the deceased’s family.”
