From Isaac Job, Uyo

Ward 2 Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ukanafun local government area of Akwa Ibom State, Mr John Monday Marcus, has been reportedly killed in a bloody fight with a faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area.

Sunday Sun gathered that trouble started when a popular politician from the ward who recently defected to APC in the ward donated money to the party to appreciate grassroots leaders. Fight, however, ensued as the APC ward chairman hijacked the cash while PDP members resisted it. 

Eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said even APC members were annoyed by the action of the late ward chairman and descended on him as they smashed his head using broken bottle resulting in free for all fight at the venue of the meeting.

“The action of the deceased infuriated the old APC faithful who descended on him and smashed his head with a bottle and died on the spot”

“Remains of the late John Monday Marcus have been deposited in the mortuary.”

Family members of the deceased have expressed shock over the incident, while the APC in the area has described the incident as shocking.

A statement signed by the Publicity Secretary of the APC, Ukanafun chapter, Hon Stanley Sunday Peter, said the death  of the late Marcus was not only shocking, but also reverberated throughout the entire APC family in area and beyond.

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.

“He played a pivotal role in mobilizing 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, noting that 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 APC, adding that his contributions to the advancement of APC in Ward 2 and Ukanafun at large would remain indelible in the minds of the 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 would carry out investigation on the matter.

“Yes we aware of the incident and investigation is ongoing to bring perpetrators of the crime to book,” John said.