Fire razes ex-A’Ibom PDP chair’s house, kills wife, sister-in-law

The house of the late chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, has been destroyed by fire.

The late PDP chairman’s wife, Mrs Elizabeth Udo Ekpenyong, and her sister, Ofonime Frank, were also killed in the fire that occurred on the eve of Christmas in Ukanafun Local Government Area of the state.

This was revealed in a statement on Tuesday by the local government’s Secretary of the Transition Committee, Udeme Idiong.

Though the cause of the fire was not stated, the caretaker chairman of the council, Godwin Ekpe, declared seven days of mourning for all indigenes of the local government.

“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-day mourning period for all indigenes of Ukanafun Local Government from Tuesday 26th of December, 2023 to Monday 1st January, 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.”