2027: Controversy in Akwa Ibom as stakeholders reject second term for Uyo lawmaker
A socio-political group in Akwa Ibom state has rejected a possible second term for the lawmaker representing Uyo state constituency in the state House of Assembly ahead of the 2027 elections.
The group, Uyo Liberation Movement, said it was the turn of Offot Ukwa clan to produce the next representative for the constituency.
The position was contained in a 13-point communique jointly signed by the conveners, Udeme Ekott and Prince Emmanuel Sam in Uyo on May 17.
The group alleged that some individuals were attempting to disrupt the zoning arrangement that has existed in the constituency since 1999.
“ULM has observed the deliberate attempt by certain individuals who do not mean well for Uyo, to disrupt the existing zoning formula of Uyo House of Assembly seat which has fostered peace and unity among the people since the return of the current democratic dispensation in 1999,” the communique reads.
The group said Uyo constituency has operated a one-term arrangement in the state assembly and criticised the performance of the current lawmaker representing the constituency.
“ULM states emphatically that it is the right of Offot Ukwa Clan to produce the next House of Assembly member for Uyo State Constituency in 2027 as Uyo has operated a one-term formula in the House of Assembly.
“ULM strongly kicks against the plan to short-change Uyo by rewarding a non-performing representative with a second-term thereby dragging the local government backward as well as disrupting the political arrangement that has unified the people for so many years.
“ULM further states that it will amount to a total waste of another four years to give a second-term to a representative whom the powers that be do not consider him qualified to occupy a key principal office in the State Assembly, except they want to embarrass Uyo,” the group stated.
The group called on qualified indigenes of Offot Ukwa clan to contest the election and pledged support for any political party willing to zone its ticket to the clan.
“ULM is non-partisan but will be ready to work across board with any political party or parties that are willing to support justice and fairness by presenting a House of Assembly candidate from Offot Ukwa Clan,” the communique reads.
The group also warned the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) in the state against ignoring the zoning demand.
“ULM wants to remind the ruling party that Uyo people are not new to opposition politics and will make that bold statement at the polls in 2027 the same way they spoke in 2011. Uyo Local Government Area is the seat of power, and we deserve better,” they stated.
