A political storm is brewing within the All Progressives Congress in Abak Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, as party stakeholders have openly rejected an alleged plan by the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, to seek a third term in office.
The development came to the fore during a tense and widely attended press briefing held in Abak, where party leaders across various wards and interest groups formally passed a vote of no confidence in the Speaker. The stakeholders accused Otong of breaching a long-standing zoning arrangement and engaging in what they described as political misconduct capable of destabilising the unity of the constituency.
Addressing journalists on behalf of the group, spokesperson Rock Dick said the decision to reject the Speaker’s alleged ambition was not taken lightly but was necessary to preserve the integrity of the party and uphold a binding agreement that has guided political representation in the area.
According to him, the controversy stems from what stakeholders described as a deliberate attempt by the Speaker to contest for a third consecutive term in the State Assembly, a move they insist runs contrary to an existing power rotation arrangement among the clans within the Abak State Constituency.
The stakeholders traced the origin of the zoning agreement to 2023, when it was brokered under the leadership of former Deputy Governor Moses Ekpo. The pact, they explained, was designed to ensure fairness, inclusiveness, and equitable political participation among the various clans that make up the constituency.
They noted that the agreement clearly stipulates that the State Assembly seat should rotate among the clans after each tenure, thereby preventing prolonged dominance by any single group and fostering a sense of belonging across the constituency.
“Democracy thrives on the principles of fairness, equity, justice, and respect for collective agreements freely entered into by stakeholders,” Dick said during the briefing. He emphasised that Otong was not only aware of the arrangement but was also a direct beneficiary of it, having emerged as a candidate under the same zoning formula.
Stakeholders further argued that the current rotation framework provides that after the completion of Otong’s tenure representing the Abak Clan, the seat should shift to the Midim Clan in the 2027 elections. They stressed that this transition is not optional but a critical component of maintaining political balance and peace within the constituency.
Particular concern was raised over what the group described as the long-standing marginalisation of the Midim Clan. According to the stakeholders, the clan has not produced a representative in the State Assembly since 1999, despite having two political wards within the constituency.
They argued that allowing Otong to seek another term would not only violate the zoning agreement but also perpetuate an imbalance that has already deprived the Midim Clan of adequate representation for more than two decades.
“The Midim Clan has waited patiently for its turn. Denying them this opportunity again would amount to injustice and a betrayal of the spirit of unity that binds us together,” one of the stakeholders said.
The group warned that any attempt to override the zoning arrangement could trigger political tension and erode trust among the different clans, potentially weakening the APC’s structure in the area ahead of future elections.
Reiterating their position, the stakeholders declared that “enough is enough,” insisting that the era of disregarding collective agreements for personal ambition must come to an end. They vowed to resist any move aimed at undermining the zoning formula and pledged to mobilise support to ensure its full implementation.
They also called on party leaders at the state and national levels to intervene and uphold the agreement, stressing that failure to do so could send the wrong signal about the party’s commitment to fairness and internal democracy.
Political observers say the unfolding situation highlights the growing importance of zoning arrangements in Nigeria’s local politics, where informal agreements often play a key role in maintaining balance among diverse groups.
As of the time of filing this report, the Speaker, Udeme Otong, had not issued an official response to the allegations or the vote of no confidence passed by the stakeholders. It remains unclear whether he intends to proceed with the alleged third-term ambition or respond to the concerns raised by party members.
Meanwhile, the stakeholders maintained that their position is final, insisting that the zoning agreement remains sacrosanct and must be respected by all parties involved. They emphasised that adherence to the arrangement is essential not only for political fairness but also for ensuring even development across the Abak State Constituency.
With tensions rising and political alignments beginning to take shape ahead of the 2027 elections, the dispute within the APC in Abak is expected to test the party’s ability to manage internal disagreements while maintaining unity and discipline among its members.
