By Gabriel Atumeyi
It was a harvest of tears in Ikot Oku Usung, Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, Friday, March 26, 2021, as the remains of the sixth State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Obong (Hon) Udo Ekpenyong, were finally committed to the earth.
Governor Udom Emmanuel who was visibly sad at the event, expressed deep grief over the loss of the state party chairman and his former commissioner, bemoaning his demise.
He described the late Obong Ekpenyong as an unflinching loyalist and “a man who was a vessel of loyalty, dependability, trust and faith in institutions of governance and its defining symbols”. He added that as human, he cannot pay back enough to recompense for the amount of loyalty given to him by Udo Ekpenyong, stressing that God is the most fitting rewarder.
The governor who recalled the virtues of the deceased since his days as commissioner, emphasised on his sterling qualities which made him special and admirable. According to Governor Emmanuel, Obong Udo Ekpenyong was “the man who was rock-solid in his convictions, was unwavering in doing all that was proper, right and noble; a man who would not bend his beliefs on the fleeting passion of herd mentality or a follower of issues layered in conventional wisdom. A man whose force of character was furnaced and shaped on the steel of loyalty, discipline and character.”
“I had come to see in Obong Udo Ekpenyong a formidable ally, a man whose words meant everything; a man of sterling principles and integrity, deep in faith and deep in convictions, a man who, once he was committed to standing with you, will remain unshaken or unmoved by the tempest or the undulating tidal waves of loyalty that sometimes characterize the human condition. In Udo Ekpenyong, I found a general you could depend upon to execute agreed strategies of victory and, who will hold dear to his heart the underlying articles of faith without betrayal”, said the governor.
The National Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, who was represented by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ibrahim Tsauri, said Udo Ekpenyong was an asset to party, having previously served in the National Executive Committee and made meaningful contributions to the growth of the party. He condoled with the governor, the party and the state, praying for strength to bear the loss.
Testimonies from the family, community and church, were given about the person of Udo Ekpenyong. In their separate remarks, they spoke of the deceased as a humble and affable person, who lived for others and was interested in building people. As testified by his church, Delightful Christian Church, through Barr. Ini Ikot, Obong Ekpenyong, who built an edifice for the church, was humble enough to serve God in various capacities not minding his social status.
Earlier, the Akwa Ibom State leadership of PDP had paid last respect to the departed chairman at the state secretariat of the party in Atan Offot, Uyo, holding a brief valedictory service to mark the last honour. The Acting State Chairman, Rt. Hon. Lawrence Udosen, who received the casket, adorned it with the flag of the party, saying it is a mark of solidarity and honour to the late Obong Ekpenyong.
Aged 64, late Obong Udo Ekpenyong came on board as the sixth chairman of PDP in Akwa Ibom State on August 1, 2020 and barely stayed up to five months in office, before the unfortunate incident. While he held sway as party chairman, he led the party successfully to the October 2020 local government elections and achieve various feats in his brief administration. Previously, he served as Ukanafun Local Government Chairman in 1996 and later as Special Adviser, Political & Legislative Affairs to former Governor Victor Attah, before being elected as National Ex-Officio of PDP. He also served in Governor Emmanuel’s cabinet as Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Affairs.