Ukanafun local government of Akwa Ibom State has been thrown into mourning following the gruesome death of the APC Ward Chairman of Ukanafun Ward 2. John Monday, following a bloody fight with a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
BusinessDay gathered that trouble started when a popular politician from the ward, who recently defected to the APC, donated money to the party to appreciate grassroots leaders, but the APC ward chairman hijacked the cash, while PDP members resisted before a fight erupted.
Eyeswitness said even APC members were annoyed by the action of the late ward chairman and descended on him with a broken bottle that ignited a free-for-all fight at the venue of the meeting.
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“The action of the deceased infuriated the old APC faithful who descended on him and smashed his head with a bottle, and he died on the spot”
“Remains of the late John Monday Marcus have been deposited in the mortuary”, Michael Umoh, an eyewitness, said.
However, family members of the deceased have expressed shock over the incident and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the area have described the death of the ward chairman as shocking to the entire APC in the state.
A statement signed by the Ukanafun chapter publicity secretary of APC, Stanley Peter, indicates that the death of late John Monday Marcus has not only shocked party members in the ward but has also reverberated demoralized the entire community.
The statement reads in parts
“Late John Monday was a committed party loyalist; he was known for his unwavering dedication to the growth and unity of the APC in the ward.
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“He played a pivotal role in mobilising support for the party in past elections and was widely respected for his humility, discipline and selfless service to the party and his community.
“As a party, we express our deep sorrow over the loss. His death is a painful reminder of the fragility of life”.
Peter further described the departed ward chairman as a leader, brother, and tireless servant of the APC, adding that his contributions to the advancement of the APC in Ward 2 and Ukanafun at large will remain indelible in the minds of people.
In a telephone interview, the Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, DSP Timfon John, confirmed the incident and assured that the police will carry out an investigation into the matter.
