Fire has razed down the house of the late chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, in Ukanafun Local Government Area of the state.
The inferno which occurred on the eve of Christmas also claimed the lives of the late PDP chairman’s wife, Mrs Elizabeth Udo Ekpenyong and her sister, Ofonime Frank.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Secretary of the Transition Committee of the local government, Udeme Idiong.
Though the statement did not state the cause of the inferno, it added that the Transition Community chairman of the council, Godwin Ekpe declared seven days of mourning by all indigenes of the local government.
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It also stated that the council chairman has sought the approval of the state government to withdraw all Ukanafun contingent in the ongoing Christmas Carol activity scheduled to hold on 28th December 2023
The statement read in parts, “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, Hon. (Elder) Godwin Ekpe JP 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 approval of the State Government approved a withdrawal of Ukanafun’s contingent and performance in the ongoing Christmas unplugged activity 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”.