The political landscape in Akwa Ibom State has been set ablaze following a controversial declaration by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong. In a statement that has gone viral, Otong boasted that the outcome of the 2027 legislative elections is already decided, with all tickets securely in his possession.
A Viral Boast and Its Immediate Fallout
The lawmaker, who represents the Abak State Constituency, made the stunning claim during a courtesy visit by the Ibom Grassroots Development Initiative to his country home in Abak Itenge. The event was held to mark his birthday in 2025. A video from the occasion, where Otong spoke in the Annang dialect, quickly spread across social media platforms, triggering widespread condemnation.
Otong stated unequivocally, "All the 26 House of Assembly tickets are already in my pocket. I single-handedly negotiated for them, no one else." He further asserted that he would personally select who becomes a member of the state assembly and hand the ticket directly to the chosen individual. His most definitive remark was, "No one will emerge without my approval."
The Political Mechanics and Party Primaries
This declaration has profound implications for the democratic process within the state. Otong, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), claimed to have the power to determine which APC aspirants would be elected into the legislative house. The Akwa Ibom State Assembly is currently dominated by the APC, with 24 of its 26 members belonging to the ruling party; the remaining two are from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Otong added a layer to his claim by suggesting that the APC tickets would be given to individuals with whom the state Governor, Umo Eno, would be comfortable working. However, it remains unclear whether Governor Eno or the APC leadership at the state or national level has granted the Speaker such sweeping authority. If true, Otong's assertion would effectively render the APC's primary election process for these seats meaningless, bypassing internal party democracy.
Broader Context and Public Reaction
The Speaker's comments have been met with outrage from observers and proponents of transparent electoral practices. Critics argue that such statements undermine the integrity of the electoral system and concentrate undue power in the hands of a single individual. The incident has sparked debates about godfatherism and the lack of a level playing field for political aspirants in the state.
This controversy occurs against the backdrop of other notable events in the state's assembly. Readers may recall that the member representing Etinan State Constituency, Hon. Uduak Ekpoufot, recently suffered an embarrassing setback when his motion to ban dog meat consumption in Akwa Ibom failed to receive a seconder during plenary. Furthermore, Governor Umo Eno has issued a statewide ban on masquerade displays, citing public safety concerns and alleged harassment of residents by some masquerade groups.
As the video continues to circulate, the pressure is mounting on the APC leadership and Governor Umo Eno to clarify their position on Otong's extraordinary claims. The coming days will likely reveal whether this was a mere boast or a genuine revelation of the power dynamics ahead of the 2027 elections in Akwa Ibom State.
