The Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa-Ibom State has confirmed that the house of the late chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, in the area, has been destroyed by fire.

Disclosing this in a statement on Tuesday, the local government’s secretary of the transition committee, Udeme Idiong, also revealed that the wife of the late PDP chairman, Elizabeth Udo Ekpenyong, and her sister, Ofonime Frank, were also killed in the inferno that happened on Christmas Eve.

Although the cause of the inferno was not stated, the caretaker chairman of the council, Godwin Ekpe, declared a seven-day mourning for all indigenes of the local government over the incident.

It read, “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,” it added.