Cross River Commissioner Slumps, Dies In Abuja

Grief has enveloped Cross River State after the sudden death of the Commissioner for Power and Renewable Energy, Dr. Prince Eka Williams, who reportedly slumped and died in Abuja while receiving treatment in a hospital in the Federal Capital Territory.

The news, confirmed by family sources to Hit FM Calabar on Sunday, September 13, 2026, hit like a thunderbolt.

Just days ago, the late commissioner was seen smiling, engaging, and serving alongside Governor Bassey Otu in Ikom.

Now, his chair sits empty.

—A LIFE CUT SHORT—

Sources close to the family said Dr. Williams collapsed in Abuja.

The exact circumstances of his death have not been made public.

But for those who knew him, the shock is unbearable because he had shown no sign of illness.

He was active, present, and fully engaged in the work of government until the end.

“He was with us during Governor Otu’s recent visit to Ikom,” a close friend was reported to have said.

“The Governor even invited him to his residence afterwards for an assessment meeting. We never thought that would be the last time.”

—“HE TOUCHED LIVES”—

In Akparabong, his native community in Ikom Local Government Area, wailing filled homes as the news spread. To his people, he was not just a commissioner. He was a son, a mentor, a builder.

His brother, Nkang Williams, could barely hold back tears as he confirmed the loss.

“I am still struggling to accept that my brother, who was recently with my family, has suddenly become a memory,” Nkang said.

“Despite our grief, we will continue to celebrate his life. He touched lives, he shared knowledge, and he built lasting relationships. His name will not simply be forgotten because he died; he will be remembered because he lived a worthy life. That is what matters.”

—ANOTHER VOID IN GOVERNOR OTU’S CABINET—

Dr. Eka Williams’ death is the second major loss to hit Governor Bassey Otu’s administration.

In 2025, the Commissioner for Tourism, Abubakar Ewa, also passed.

For Cross River, it feels like the light is dimming too fast. A technocrat who championed power and renewable energy for a state long plagued by darkness, Williams was seen as one of the quiet drivers of the “People First” agenda.

—A STATE IN MOURNING—

Tributes have begun pouring in from colleagues, political associates, and citizens who described him as humble, brilliant, and deeply committed to service.

From the corridors of power in Calabar to the villages of Ikom, the question on everyone’s lips is the same: Why now?

As flags fly at half-mast and condolence registers open, Cross River mourns not just a commissioner, but a man who believed power — both electricity and the power to change lives — should reach every home.

May the soul of Dr. Prince Eka Williams rest in peace.

The Conclave