I Decide Who Wins - Akwa Ibom Assembly Speaker Triggers Backlash Over 2027 Election Claim

The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Udeme Otong, has sparked public outrage after a viral video showed him claiming that the 2027 legislative elections in the state have already been decided and that he can determine who emerges under the APC.

Otong made the statement while addressing a group during a visit to his community in Abak Itenge. Speaking in the Annang language, he boasted that all 26 House of Assembly tickets were “in his pocket” and that no aspirant could secure the party’s ticket without his approval.

Akwa Ibom State has 26 seats in the House of Assembly. Earlier in 2025, the political landscape of the state changed after Governor Umo Eno and the majority of lawmakers defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the APC, a move that intensified preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The speaker’s comments sparked backlash within and outside the party. The APC Media Network in Akwa Ibom described the remarks as anti democratic and misleading, insisting that party nominations are guided by established rules and not personal authority.

Political observers warn that such statements could weaken public confidence in internal party democracy and raise concerns about the concentration of power as the 2027 elections draw closer.

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