Steven Ukpukpen, a Cross River lawmaker, is dead.Ukpukpen slumped and died during an early morning exercise on Wednesday. The incident reportedly happened along Moore Road in Calabar.

The lawmaker was said to have been rushed to a nearby Naval clinic, but medical officials on duty directed that he be transferred to another hospital, saying his condition was critical.

Ukpukpen was confirmed dead at the anatomy unit of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

Reacting to the development, John Gaul-Lebo, speaker of the state house of assembly toldPUNCHthat: “I am still in shock. I do not know what to say.

“We are in a meeting with the family members, and we would later issue a statement on the sad development.”

Ukpukpen representsObudu constituency in the Cross River house of assembly. (Daily Trust)