BREAKING: Lawmaker Nkoro’s Death Too Painful To Bear – Ayade

By Jonathan Ugbal: Government House Correspondent

Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade has expressed shock and sadness at the passing of the deputy leader of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Honorable Simon Nkoro Egbong.

Mr. Nkoro, aged 62 and a two-term lawmaker representing Ikom 2 state constituency died Sunday morning in India at an undisclosed hospital where he was been treated for an undisclosed ailment.

And, Ayade in a statement signed by his spokesman, Mr. Christian Ita said the death of the lawmaker is a “loss so painful to bear.”

“Hon. Nkoro’s demise leaves a sour taste in my mouth and ache in my heart. But then, we cannot question God. Him and only Him alone has prerogative over life.

“However, as a human, my heart is heavy, filled with sorrow. I agonise and mourn this death,” the statement quoted the governor.

While decrying that the late lawmaker “departed at a time his service to our dear state is most needed,” he described him as “a dedicated lawmaker, a consumate politician, a team player and loyal partyman, whose death is a huge loss to the people and government of Cross River state.”

He offered his heartfelt condolences to Nkoro’s family, colleagues and constituency.

He prayed God to grant them the strength to bear the irreplaceable loss, saying “we are together with you in prayers in this moment of unspeakable sadness.” passing of Rt. Hon. Nkoro.

CrossRiverWatch had earlier reported that Mr. Nkoro’s speech was said to be unclear and was thought to be the one who died when his colleague, the late Honorable Stephen Ukpukpen was declared dead on arrival at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital after he slumped during a routine morning exercise session on May 30, 2018.

Also he was an aide to former Governor Liyel Imoke on political affairs and his death leaves the 25 man Assembly with only 22 members following the declaration of the seat of Honorable Elucate Okom ( Obubra 2) vacant by the leadership of the House after he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.

However, the Independent National Electoral Commission is yet to conduct a bye-election to replace Mr. Okom due to a court injunction.

Also, the winner of the bye-election to replace the late Mr. Ukpuken’s seat, Mrs. Abbey Ukpukpen has not been sworn in.