Elizabeth Ekpenyong, wife of the late state chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom Obong Ekpenyong, and her sister Ofonime Frank have died in a fire incident.
The inferno occurred on Christmas Eve, bringing down Ekpenyong’s house in Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
Secretary of the local government transition committee Udeme Idiong disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement said transition committee chairman of the council Godwin Ekpe had declared a seven-day mourning for all indigenes of the local government.
It also stated that Mr Ekpe sought the approval of the state government to withdraw all Ukanafun contingent in the ongoing Christmas Carol activity.
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The statement 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, 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.”
The cause of the fire was not immediately clear.
