Constituents protest, reject Akwa Ibom speaker’s third term bid

…Say Otong’s Constituency scorecard not encouraging

Angry constituents from Abak Local Government Area (LGA) have protested against the third-term bid of Udeme Otong, Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, arguing that his scorecard in the last two terms have been so appalling.

The protesters, under the aegis of the Abak Peoples’ Congress (APC), declared that “there will be no third term for Udeme Otong,” warning that any attempt to return in 2027 would be fiercely resisted at the polls.

The group made up of critical stakeholders from across the wards and clans of Abak LGA, insists that “the next representative for Abak State Constituency must come from Midim Clan, in line with a zoning arrangement.

Rock Dick, leader of the group, after an enlarged meeting, convened at Abak LGA headquarters, to review what participants described as “troubling political developments capable of disrupting peace and unity in the constituency, said that democracy can only thrive where fairness, justice, equity, and respect for collective agreements are upheld.

He recalled that in 2023, political leaders and representatives from across Abak LGA met at the instance of Moses Ekpo, former deputy governor, “where a zoning formula was unanimously adopted to ensure balance, inclusion, and justice among the various clans.”

He stated that the agreement clearly stipulated that after the tenure of Abak Clan, which currently occupies the seat, through Otong, the next representative in the 2027 election should emerge from Midim Clan, adding that all parties present at the meeting, including the Speaker himself, signed the agreement “as a commitment to honour its terms.”

Dick expressed dismay the recent moves by a beneficiary of that arrangement to seek a third term, describing such ambition as “a direct violation of the subsisting accord and a betrayal of the trust reposed in political leaders by the people.”

He accused the incumbent lawmaker of failing to justify his years in office with visible and life-changing projects, despite occupying one of the highest offices in the State, but “has little to show in terms of developments and meaningful dividends of democracy.’

According to him, the dissatisfaction had spread across Abak, with many constituents openly describing the representation as disappointing and far below public expectations, and consequently declared a vote of no confidence in the Speaker.

He reminded politicians that “Abak people have a history of voting out underperforming representatives regardless of status or political influence,” citing the 2023 election as an example when, according to them, a candidate who claimed popularity was rejected by the electorate for failing to deliver.