The burial obsequies for late member representing Obudu state constituency in the Cross River House of Assembly Rt. Hon Stephen Akomaye Ukpukpen are as follow:
1. Sing Song Night
Date: Thursday 19th July, 2018
Venue: Cross River State House of Assembly Quarters, Ekorinim Calabar
Time: 6pm
2. Valedictory Session
Date: Friday 20th July, 2018
Venue: Cross River State House of Assembly Complex, Calabar
Time: 9am
2b. A brief Stop over at deceased residence at block 8, plot 12, Dame Vienna Olurun Nimbe Street off Emmanuel Edem Street Federal Housing Estate, Calabar
Time: 11am
2c. Vigil Mass
Venue: Our Lady Queen of Apostle Church, Market Road, Obudu
Time: 5pm
3. Funeral Mass
Date: Saturday 21st July, 2018
Venue: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, Market Road Obudu
Time: 9am
3b. Interment follows after funeral mass at No 8 Cameroun Street, off Anderson Street, Obudu
4. Thanksgiving Mass
Date: Sunday 22nd July, 2018
Venue: Our Lady Queen of Apostles Church, Market Road, Obudu
Time: 9am
"Hon Ukpukpen Presumed absent until valedictory".
Relatedly, the late Hon Stephen Akomaye Ukpukpen according to the Cross River State Assembly House Rules & Proceedings, is presumed absent until after a Valedictory session.
Again, under Section 161 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and also as contained in the Electoral Act, the Obudu state constituency seat which the deceased occupied would be declared vacant only after a Valedictory. Aside this, there is no other requirement.
However, the valedictory session for the late member will hold on Friday July 20 at the Assembly Complex by 9am.
It only after this event that the Rt. Hon Stephen Akomaye Ukpukpen would be officially declared dead and the Obudu state Constituency seat declared vacant by the Speaker.
This will be followed by a formal communication, in cognizance of the votes & proceedings of the valedictory, notifying INEC officially about the death of the member and the vacant seat in the Assembly.
Signed
Azogor Ideba
Chief Press Secretary
For: Speaker, Cross River State House of Assembly
16th July, 2018
