Abak APC stakeholders reject speaker’s third-term bid
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have passed a vote of no confidence in the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Udeme Otong, who represents Abak State Constituency.
The group also rejected an alleged move by the Speaker to circumvent a zoning arrangement agreed and endorsed by political leaders in 2023, accusing him of attempting to secure a third term in office.
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*APC stakeholders' meeting in Abak LGA, Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday, 21 April 2026
Etim Ekpimah
Stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have passed a vote of no confidence in the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Udeme Otong, who represents Abak State Constituency.
The group also rejected an alleged move by the Speaker to circumvent a zoning arrangement agreed and endorsed by political leaders in 2023, accusing him of attempting to secure a third term in office.
Addressing a press conference in Abak on Tuesday, the group’s spokesperson, Hon. Rock Dick, expressed disappointment with the speaker, alleging that he was a signatory to the zoning agreement and its first beneficiary.
In a statement issued at the briefing, the stakeholders emphasised that democracy is anchored on fairness, equity, justice and respect for collective agreements.
They recalled that in 2023, stakeholders across Abak met at the instance of the immediate past Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Moses Ekpo, and unanimously adopted a zoning formula to promote balance, inclusion and justice among the clans.
According to them, the agreement clearly stipulated that after the tenure of Abak Clan—which currently produces the Speaker—the next representative for the 2027 State Assembly election should emerge from Midim Clan.
They noted that all parties present at the meeting, including the speaker, appended their signatures to the agreement as a commitment to uphold it.
The stakeholders, however, expressed concern over what they described as recent moves by a beneficiary of the arrangement to seek a third term, describing it as a violation of the agreement and a threat to unity in the constituency.
“The people of Abak have, in clear terms, passed a vote of no confidence in the incumbent House of Assembly member and Speaker,” the statement read.
They further rejected any attempt by individuals or groups to distort or disregard the zoning formula, insisting that the 2023 agreement remains binding and sacrosanct.
The group maintained that equity demands that Midim Clan, which has not produced a State Assembly representative since 1999 despite having two wards, should produce the next lawmaker in 2027.
Efforts to reach the Speaker for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls at the time of filing this report. However, his Press Secretary, Mr Emmanuel Ebong, said the stakeholders were entitled to their opinions.
“They have the right to say whatever they want to say because we are in a democracy. But I know the Speaker has done his best for the people. It is only God who determines who becomes what in any society,” he said.
Meanwhile, the stakeholders reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno, citing their performances as justification for backing them.
