It was Black Christmas Eve at the residence of the late Akwa Ibom State Peoples Democratic Party Chairman, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, as mysterious fire burnt the mansion and roasted the widow and sister in-law beyond recognition.
The fire incident that started at 9 p.m. consumed Mrs Elizabeth Udo Ekpenyong and her sister, Ms Ofonime Frank at their Shelter Afrique’s residence, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
Ekpenyong who was also Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs as well as Ukanafun Local Government Area Chairman died on January 19, 2021 under questionable circumstances .
Ekpenyong hailed from Ikot Oku Usung in Ukanafun Local Government Area.
An anonymous told Straightnews reporter that despite gallant efforts of the Fire Service Department to extinguish the fire, the ”unwelcome stranger” had gutted all the property in the building, and turned the palatial mansion to a relic of abandoned edifice.
However, the actual cause of the fire incident is not yet known, though an army of sympathisers daily throng the scene.
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A statement issued by the Secretary, Transition Committee Ukanafun Local Government, Hon. Udeme Idiong 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.’’
According to the statement, ‘‘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 sympathising with the family of the deceased, we pray for the repose of the departed souls.’’
Similarly, the Ukanafun Widows Association has condoled with the Transition Chairman, Ukanafun Local Government Area, members of the Transition Committee, the Political Leader of Ukanafun, the State Chairman, People’s Democratic Party, Akwa Ibom State.
The statement signed by Ekemini Robert Udoh, facilitator of Ukanafun Widows Association noted ‘‘The family of late Obong Udo Ekpenyong and indeed the entire sons and daughters of Ukanafun at home and in the Diaspora over the tragic demise of the wife of late Obong Udo Ekpenyong (a widow ) and her sister.
‘‘We commend the position of the Chairman Transition Committee, Ukanafun Local Government Area as contained in this Press Release.
‘‘We pray God to console and comfort everyone while praying for the repose of the departed ones.’’
In a related development, members of Ukanafun Development Initiative (UKDI founded as UKEDC) have joined in expressing grief over the sad incident.
A statement signed by Elder Dr. Idongesit D. Udom said members ‘‘are grieved and very sad over the transition of our dear wife and mother and our sister in-law which occurred on the 24th December, 2023.
‘‘But we are persuaded that neither fire, nor deaths, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers of darkness, nor things that we don’t know of, nor things to come, nor mountains, nor pits of hell, nor any other authorities shall be able to separate the family of the late Obong Udo Ekpenyong and Ukanafun people from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.
‘‘As we all observe the seven days mourning period, let us spend quality time to pray and surrender the family of late Obong Udo Ekpenyong to God,’’ the statement added.
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom state governor, Pastor Umo Eno, and other state executive members were at the scene of the incident, and were shocked given the magnitude of destruction the fire that razed Ekpenyong’s mansion.
