Udo Ekpenyong’s demise: Harvest of tributes to departed iconic PDP leader (1)
The former Akwa Ibom State PDP Chairman, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, may be dead, but the legacies he left behind have continued to endured.
This could be felt in arrays of homage, praise and accolade trailing his demise. Arguably, never in the history of Akwa Ibom has a departed elder statesman enjoyed and attracted such tributes and condolences.
Apart from the popularity of the office he occupied before his demise, Obong Udo Ekpenyong’s disposition and leadership prowess have contributed in no small measure to the flood of goodwill, tributes and condolences that greeted and have continued to greet his departure.
In last few weeks, no fewer than 30 groups and individuals have thronged his contry home to condole with the deceased family.
In this series, we review some of these visitations while keeping you abreast of latest development.
Former SEC members pay homage
On 17th February, 2020, the former members of the the State Executive Committee of the Akwa Ibom State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party from 1998-2020 paid a condolence visit to the Acting Chairman of the Party and members of the incumbent State Executive Committee of the party, over the very painful death of the State Chairman of the Party, Hon. Obong Udo Ekpenyong.
The delegation was led by the immediate past State Chairman of the Party and Chairman-Designate, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Obong Paul Ekpo who expressed the sympathies of the past EXCO members on the sudden demise of his successor.
Obong Paul Ekpo used the opportunity to call for continued unity among members of the party.
The Acting Chairman, Rt. Hon. Lawrence Udosen welcomed the group and thanked them for their support and appealed to the forum to continue to pray for the party and the family of the deceased.
According to Comrade Ini Ememobong, immediate past Publicity Secretary, PDP and Commissioner forfor Informat and Strategy, Obong Paul Ekpo signed the condolence register on behalf of the group.
College of Personal Aides- COPA: Ekpenyong’s death has created vacuum
In their part, the Personal Aides to Governor Udom Emmanuel have described the sudden demise of the State Chairman of the PDP, Late. Hon. Udo Ekpenyong as painful, noting that his exit has created a vacuum in their hearts, as well as the state.
They described the deceased as a hardworking, enterprising and loyal party Chairman whose leadership qualities stood him out as an astute manager of human and material resources.
The Governor’s aides also acknowledged Ekpenyong’s commitment to the success of the Completion Agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel.
Dean of the College of Personal Aides to Governor Emmanuel, Elder Ufot Ebong conveyed the feelings of the Governor’s personal aides on Tuesday, 16th February, 2021 when he led the leadership of COPA on a condolence visit to the State Working Committee of the PDP at the party secretariat at Atan Offot.
COPA prayed God to comfort his family, the party and the state over the demise.
“Sir Ekpenyong was a very hardworking, enterprising and loyal party chairman, whose leadership qualities stood him out as an astute manager of human and material resources for the collective good of everyone”
“He was committed to the success of the Completion Agenda of our boss and in all responsibilities in his care, he was always meticulous in ensuring that mediocrity does not take the center stage.
“It is obvious that his exit has left a yawning gap that will be difficult to fill in our hearts and in the entire state.
“It is our sincere prayer that God in his infinite mercies comfort his immediate family, the PDP family and the State at large”.
Reacting, the Acting State Chairman of the party, represented by the Senatorial district Chairman for Akwa Ibom North-West, Pastor Cletus Eshiet thanked COPA for identifying with the party and the family of the deceased at this moment of grief, and enjoined the Governor’s aides to remain good ambassadors of the party at their respective villages, wards, local government area and duty post.
The delegation led by the Dean of the College and Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical Matters and Due Process, Elder Ufot Ebong, also had the Deputy Dean and Snr. Special Assistant to the Governor, Hon. Tony Akan, Snr. Special Assistant to the Governor on Branding and Marketing, Mr. Ime Uwah, the Secretary of COPA and Special Assistant to the Governor on Research and Documentation, Mr. Essien Ndueso, Public Relations Officer and Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor, Mr. Aniekeme Finbar, the Financial Secretary of COPA, Elder Isidore Archibong and other aides of the Governor in attendance.
Obong Udo Ekpenyong’s demise great tragedy to PDP -Essien Udim PDP
The Political Leader of Essien Udim, Akparawa (Obong) Michael Afangideh has described the demise of the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Akwa Ibom State, Late Obong Udo Ekpoenyong as a “great tragedy” to the party.
The Political leader who stated this when he led a delegation of Essien Udim PDP stakeholders to pay condolence visit to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) headquarters, Uyo, noted that the death of Obong Udo Ekpenyong has left a big vacuum that will be difficult to fill.
He condoled with the State chapter of the Party (PDP) for their loss and charged them to remain courageous and strong with a view to following the leadership style of the departed PDP leader
Obong Afangideh who was represented by Obong E. P. Umanah however expressed confidence in the capacity of acting State Chairman of the party, Mr Lawrence Udosen, to pilot the affairs of the party pending the election of the substantive Chairman of the party.
The Essien Udim Chapter Chairman of the Party, Hon Cyril Peter Udoh who expressed grief at the sudden demise of the State Chairman of PDP, Obong Udo Ekpenyong, noted that the party has missed a great leader.
The Essien Usim Chapter Chairman described the deceased as a disciplined, Proactive, pragmatic, courageous leader who will be missed by all who knew him.
He also pray for the repose of his soul.
Responding on behalf of the Party, the Acting Chairman of PDP, Akwa Ibom State, Hon Lawrence Udosen, who thanked the people of Essien Udim for visiting the party secretariat to share in their grief, lamented the sudden departure of the State Chairman, Late Obong Udo Ekpenyong at a time the party and the state needed him most to contribute to the development of the state and PDP in particular.
The Acting Chairman described Obong Udo Ekpoenyong as a man of great pedigree who has served the state meritoriously.
Also in the delegation were the Member Representing Essien Udim State Constituency, Barr Esse G. Umoh; Commissioner for Trade and Investments, Barr (Prince) Ukpong Akpabio 11; the Executive Chairman of Essien Udim, Mr Anthony Luke; the Vice Chairman of the Council, Hon (Lady) Emem Ekarika; Leader of the Essien Udim Legislative Council, Hon (Mrs) Mary R. Charles; Chapter Chairman of PDP, Hon Cyril P. Udoh; Member, Law Reform Commission, Obong (Barr) Imo-Owo Okpokpo; Member, State Secondary Education Board, Barr Martins Umanah; the immediate past Chairman of the Council, Hon Raphael Isobara; Secretary of Council, Mr Nyom Atagha; former member of House of Representatives, Hon Sunyiekekere Inokon; former member of the State House of Assembly, Dr Etido Ibekwe; State Officer of the party, Mrs Mfon Udo-ima; Chapter Women Leader of the party, Mrs Rose Thompson; Ward Chairmen and a host of other PDP stakeholders
