By Our Reporters
Heavy backlash is trailing comments credited to the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Elder Udeme Otong, after he claimed that all tickets for the 2027 House of Assembly elections are already under his control.
In a video that has gone viral on social media, Otong was seen stating that no individual would become a member of the state legislature without his approval.
The Speaker made the comments when a socio-political group, the Ibom Grassroots Development Initiative (IGDI), paid him a courtesy visit at his country home in Abak Itenge to mark his 2025 birthday.
In the video, Otong who recently defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressives Congress (APC) appeared to dismiss the electoral process as a mere formality, suggesting that the outcome of the 2027 elections had already been decided.
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He recalled previous elections in his constituency, noting that he had always emerged victorious despite opposition from different clans in Abak.
According to him, the forthcoming election would be his “freest, cheapest and most successful,” adding that the process would be concluded before midday.
The Speaker further claimed ownership of the legislative process, stating that all 26 House of Assembly tickets were already “in his pocket” and that he would personally decide who receives tickets across the local government constituencies.
Otong claimed that Governor Eno openly supported his emergence as Speaker in 2023 and promised to grant him the party’s ticket to return to the State Assembly in 2025, a move he said would position him to succeed the governor at the end of his tenure in 2031.
“I was on my own when the governor picked me as Speaker in 2023 and promised to give me the ticket again in 2025 so I can remain Speaker and be well positioned to succeed him,” Otong said.
He further boasted of his political strength, recalling his victories in previous elections.
“Election is a contest. I contested in 2019 with everyone and won. They contested against me again in 2023 from all clans, and I defeated them. They will always contest from Afaha Obong Clan, Midim Clan and even Abak Clan but I will always win,” he stated.
Otong dismissed claims that they said he’s the only one contesting from Abak urban. How can anyone contest from Abak urban, arguing that his position as Speaker makes him the natural political leader of the area. “Why should anyone contest from Abak clan when I am here as the number three citizen of the state?” he asked.
The Speaker also claimed that his ticket to the State Assembly for the next election cycle was already secured. “Allow them to make noise. What matters is that the ticket is already in my pocket,” he said confidently.
He used the occasion to openly declare his ambition to succeed Governor Pastor Umo Eno, issuing a strong warning to both the governor and the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, over any succession arrangement that will exclude him.
According to him, he would resist any attempt by Governor Eno and Senator Akpabio to impose Rt. Hon. Unyime Idem as the next governor of Akwa Ibom State.
He insisted that Abak Local Government Area was not destined to produce a senator but a governor and that he is the one prepared for that position after Gov. Eno.
Explaining the circumstances of the gathering, Otong explained that the birthday celebration was organised by his three sons and his wife without his direct involvement. He expressed gratitude to the visitors for their support and reassured them of his continued political relevance in Abak and the state at large.
Reactions by APC
However, his remarks have triggered widespread reactions, particularly from APC members and some indigenes of Abak, many of whom have described the comments as arrogant and deeply troubling.
Critics argue that the statements undermine democratic principles, the role of political parties, and the rights of voters to freely choose their representatives.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) Media Network strongly condemns the anti-democratic and provocative statement made in a video clip by the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, in which he claimed that the 26 APC House of Assembly tickets for the 2027 general election are “custodied” by him and that no aspirant can secure the party’s ticket without his endorsement.
The press statement dated 16th December, 2025 and signed by Otuekong Iniobong John, Director General All Progressives Congress Media Network noted that ‘’It is deeply offensive to APC members across the state who have invested time, resources, and political capital in growing the party. It undermines the authority of the APC’s constitutional organs and creates the false impression that the party has been appropriated by personal ambition.
In the statement titled: ‘‘APC MEDIA NETWORK CONDEMNS ANTI-DEMOCRATIC BOAST BY AKWA IBOM ASSEMBLY SPEAKER said ‘‘For the avoidance of doubt, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong has no constitutional or moral authority to determine APC candidacies or to “custody” party tickets. Such powers reside exclusively with the party, exercised through its duly constituted organs in accordance with its rules and the collective will of members. Any attempt to assume this role is a direct affront to internal democracy.’’
According to John, ‘‘The Speaker must be reminded that the APC in Akwa Ibom State predates his defection. For years, committed party members laboured under difficult conditions to build, sustain, and defend the party. These loyal stakeholders deserve respect and recognition, not political marginalisation. Fairness and equity demand that those who kept the party alive are accorded a meaningful role and a fair opportunity to contest elective positions on the platform of the party.’’
He, therefore, called on Rt. Hon. Otong to promptly retract the statement made in the video clip and offer an unreserved apology to the teeming APC members in Akwa Ibom State who were rightly offended. A public recantation is necessary to ease tension and reaffirm respect for the party’s democratic values.
‘‘He should also take a cue from the exemplary conduct of Governor Umo Eno and the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, who have consistently demonstrated topnotch maturity, humility, and an accommodating spirit in their leadership. Their approach has fostered unity, inspired loyalty, and strengthened the APC across Akwa Ibom State. Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong would do well to emulate these qualities, placing the party and its collective interests above personal ambition, rather than projecting arrogance or attempting to intimidate party members.
‘‘This claim reflects a troubling disregard for internal party democracy and a fundamental misrepresentation of how political parties function in a constitutional system. APC tickets are neither personal assets nor instruments of patronage. They belong to the party and are earned through transparent, competitive, and rule-based processes as clearly stipulated in the APC Constitution and Electoral Guidelines.
‘‘The APC Media Network views this episode as an attempt to intimidate aspirants and pre-empt the party’s nomination process. We reject such conduct unequivocally. APC is a democratic institution, not a personal political estate subject to unilateral control.
‘‘We urge the national leadership of the APC to take note of this development and to restate clearly that no individual outside the party’s constitutional framework can hijack its nomination process. Party members across Akwa Ibom State are also encouraged to remain vigilant and committed to defending internal democracy.
The 2027 candidates of the party will be decided by APC members through due process, not by political bravado or self-appointed gatekeepers. The party remains supreme,’’ he added,
In an open letter entitled: PERISH THAT IDEA, addressed to the Speaker, Dr. Tom Godwin FredFish, Youth Activist and a Concerned Constituent of Abak Local Government Area, wrote ‘‘I am writing this open letter to you not out of personal malice, but out of deep concern, disappointment, and a profound sense of duty as a proud citizen of Abak Local Government Area, your constituency, and the very place that entrusted you with power, voice, and representation.’’
FredFish remarked ‘‘Recent public statements attributed to you, and captured in a now widely circulated video, have left many of us from Abak Local Government Area shocked, embarrassed, and deeply concerned about the future of democracy in our state. Your open boast that “all the 26 House of Assembly tickets are already in my pocket” and that “no one will emerge a House member without my approval” is not only reckless, but profoundly insulting to the intelligence, dignity, and democratic rights of the Akwa Ibom electorate.
According to him, ‘‘With due respect, Rt. Hon. Speaker, public office is not a personal estate, and political power is not a hereditary property to be shared at will. The House of Assembly is not your private enterprise, and party tickets are not souvenirs to be dispensed from your pocket. Such utterances portray a dangerous contempt for democracy, internal party processes, and the will of the people.
‘‘Even more troubling is the arrogance with which you dismissed the 2027 elections as a mere formality, noting that: “before 12 noon, the election will be over.” Statements like this undermine public confidence in elections, ridicule democratic institutions, and dangerously suggest that votes do not count. For someone occupying the exalted office of Speaker, the symbol of legislative independence and democratic order, this posture is not only unfortunate but also unacceptable.’’
He lambasted ‘‘Rt. Hon. Speaker, beyond words, your years in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly have failed to justify this new level of bravado. By any objective assessment, your legislative footprint in Abak is shallow. Constituents struggle to point to any landmark bills, transformative motions, or people-centered interventions that significantly changed lives across Afaha-Obong, Abak Urban, Midim, Ediene, and Otoro clans. Infrastructure remains weak, youth unemployment is rampant, and Abak’s voice and influence in the State have grown faint rather than stronger.
‘‘History will be honest to agree that you are widely regarded by many as the worst House member Abak has produced since the creation of the Local Government, not for lack of opportunity, but for lack of impactful representation and creativity.’’
He wondered ‘‘It is therefore both ironic and tragic that instead of sober reflection, humility, and service in the remaining one and a half years of your tenure, you have chosen the path of self-glorification, intimidation, and political absolutism. Leadership is not measured by how much power one claims to control, but by how well one serves and exits with honour.
‘‘This is why I strongly urge you to “perish that idea” of a third term. Abak deserves the best and a break from recycled leadership that has delivered little but noise. Use the remaining months of your tenure to attempt, even belatedly, to justify the trust once reposed in you. Focus on genuine constituency service, legislative legacy, and restoring respect to the office you occupy.
‘‘Thereafter, retire quietly and permanently to private life,’’ TomFred advised.
”Democracy will survive you. Abak will move on. History will record everything. The choice before you now is simple: attempt redemption through service, or cement a legacy of arrogance and failure.
”The people of Abak deserve nothing but the best.”
