Speaker's Third Term Dream Crashes as His Own Kinsmen Reject Zoning Deal

Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.

The third term reelection ambition of the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, has hit a brick wall following an open rejection by his own kinsmen in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Abak Local Government Area, who accused him of attempting to sabotage a zoning arrangement he personally signed and benefited from. Addressing a press conference in Abak on Tuesday, stakeholders under the aegis of the Abak Peoples’ Congress issued a communique declaring that “there will be no third term for the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong,” and warning that any attempt to return to the House in 2027 would be fiercely resisted at the polls. The gathering, which included critical stakeholders drawn from across the wards and clans of Abak Local Government Area, also passed a vote of no confidence in the Speaker, citing underperformance, breach of trust, and a flagrant disregard for a zoning agreement that had been designed to ensure fairness and inclusion among the clans.

Hon. Rock Dick, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders, accused Otong of attempting to circumvent the zoning arrangement that was agreed upon and endorsed by political leaders of the constituency in 2023. He alleged that the Speaker had signed the agreement and became its first beneficiary, and that his current push for a third term undermines the trust and unity of the people. “The people of Abak have, in clear terms, passed a vote of no confidence in the incumbent House of Assembly member and Speaker. We unequivocally reject any attempt, by any individual or group, to distort, truncate, or disregard the duly agreed zoning formula for Abak State Constituency,” the communique read in part. The stakeholders insisted that the 2023 zoning agreement remains binding, valid, and sacrosanct, representing a moral and political contract among the clans of Abak which must be respected in the interest of peace, unity, and justice.

The 2023 zoning agreement, which was reached at a meeting convened by the immediate past Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Moses Ekpo, was designed to promote balance and inclusion among the various clans in Abak. According to the stakeholders, the agreement clearly stipulated that after the tenure of Abak Clan, which currently occupies the seat through Speaker Otong, the next representative for the 2027 State Assembly election should emerge from Midim Clan. All parties present at the meeting, including the Speaker himself, reportedly appended their signatures to the agreement as a commitment to uphold its terms. However, the stakeholders expressed dismay over 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.

The communique further argued that equity demands that Midim Clan, which has not produced a State Assembly representative since 1999 despite comprising two wards, should be given the opportunity to occupy the seat in 2027, rather than perpetuate a lopsided arrangement that has seen Abak Clan dominate the position for over sixteen years. The stakeholders noted that dissatisfaction had spread across Abak, with many constituents openly describing the representation as disappointing and far below public expectations. They 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, adding that “he has little to show in terms of developments and meaningful dividends of democracy.”

This latest development comes on the heels of a formal recall petition filed against Otong in February 2026. Registered voters in Abak State Constituency had submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) seeking the recall of the Speaker over allegations of underperformance, breach of trust, and remarks that undermine democratic principles. The petitioners alleged that since assuming office in June 2019, Otong had not demonstrated the level of legislative commitment, visibility, and constituency engagement expected of a representative entrusted with the mandate of the people. They also raised concerns over certain public statements allegedly attributed to the Speaker, including remarks that he already had “26 House of Assembly tickets in his pocket” ahead of party nominations and primaries, and that he would personally determine how the tickets would be shared among other aspirants.

The recall petition also accused the Speaker of stating that the 2027 general elections would be concluded before noon on election day, a comment that could undermine the credibility and independence of INEC. He was further accused of claiming that he single-handedly negotiated the 26 Assembly tickets with the state governor, an assertion the petitioners said could create the impression that candidates for the 2027 elections had already been predetermined ahead of party procedures and INEC guidelines. “Representation is founded on trust and accountability, and where that trust has been fundamentally breached, constitutional remedies must be pursued,” the petition stated. Under Nigerian law, the recall of an elected lawmaker requires the verification of signatures of registered voters in the affected constituency by INEC, followed by a referendum to determine whether the lawmaker should remain in office.

Meanwhile, efforts to reach the Speaker for comment were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls at the time of 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. The stakeholders, however, reaffirmed their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Umo Eno, citing their performances as justification for backing them. As the political clock ticks toward 2027, the Speaker’s third term ambition hangs in the balance, with his own kinsmen now leading the charge to stop him.

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