…rate Ime Okon poor on performance, demand articulate voice at green chamber
By Our Reporter
There is a strong political tension brewing up in Itu/Ibom Federal Constituency as stakeholders of the constituency under the auspices of Concerned Itu/ Ibiono- Ibom Stakeholders and Youths have unanimously rejected any plan to adopt a consensus option in the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries in Itu/Ibiono-Ibom Federal Constituency.
This was part of the resolutions arrived through a communique signed by stakeholders from the federal constituency after an enlarged meeting of APC stalkholders and youths on 25th April, 2026.
The people in their communiqué titled: “Our Right to be Heard ” stated that democracy thrives through strict adherence to the rule of law and through periodic free and fair election process where constituents are allowed to choice their leaders.
Part of the communique read: “Whereas it is trite that the right of a constituency to choose their representative is a cornerstone of democratic governance, which ensures that elected officials are accountable to the specific geographic or interest-based group they serve.”
“Whereas this process establishes a political contract where the representative is tasked with representing the views, concerns, and interests of the constituency in the legislature.”
“AND Whereas democracy thrives by strict adherence to the rule of law and through a free, fair and periodic elections which does not undermine the collective choice of the majority in a constituent.”
The Concerned Stakeholders and Youths in their communiqué lamented the poor performance of their current federal lawmaker from Itu/ Ibiono-Ibom Federal Constituency and promised to resist his alleged scheme to return to the green chamber in 2027.
“AND whereas the choice of any representatives, is the anchorage of the general development of a constituency and our State at Large; it is therefore desirous that a constituency chooses a representative who is altruistic, visionary, innovative and proactive to muster Federal Presence for the benefit of his constituents and his state despite their constituency projects allowance and oversight.”
“It is most unfortunate, that our federal constituency is in dire want of a progressive representation following the abysmal underperformance and failure of our present representative who has undermined the tenants of our social contract.”
“AND whereas, our current representative is aware of his irredeemable failure, but is scheming to sneak back to the green chambers through the unpopular consensus mantra, which has even been widely jettisoned by our revered party leadership in some constituencies and senatorial districts, we hereby firmly demand to be fairly heard in the choice of our next representative.”
The group expressed optimism that direct primary will produce a candidate that represents the will of the masses and avert an unpopular candidate from manipulating his way into public office in 2027.
“Whereas direct primary is the only transparent, democratic, and fair process that truly reflects the will of the majority where delegates/party member are availed the unrestrained opportunity to freely exercise their democratic right without intimidation, inducement, or imposition; any process such as consensus, which conveys on a few individuals to the opportunity to circumvent the wishes of the majority to foist a candidates who most often do not enjoy genuine grassroots support, is antithetical and unwelcome in our federal constituency.”
“We therefore state categorically and with no sense of equivocation, that adopting the proposed consensus arrangement as rumoured in Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency, will amount to an absurd imposition, a deliberate disqualification of other aspirants from contesting for the federal Constituency seat which is antithetical to internal democratic ethos and an intemperate rape and bastardization of the principles of fair play as enshrined in the APC constitution as well as the Electoral Act 2026 ”
The people who declared their unflinching support for APC and the second term bid of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno respectively, called for direct primary in Itu/Ibiono-Ibom Federal Constituency.
” We unreservedly pledge our steadfast and unalloyed support to our party, the APC, but we dare say that our party can only be united and progressive if justice, fairness, and respect for the democratic rights of all members is given its deserving consideration.
” We demand for an inclusive and credible democratic process of open/direct primaries whereof the most popular, credible, and service-oriented aspirant will emerge to chat the course of Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency.
“We therefore appreciate and sue for the implementation of direct primaries in Itu/Ibiono Ibom Federal Constituency as recently echoed by our dear Governor, HE Pastor Umoh Bassey Eno Ph.D.”
Those who were signatories to the communique include: Prince Effiong Akpan, Obongawan Blessing Bassey, Dr. Nsima Edet, Hon. Tony Asuqwo, Ndifreke Isaac Bassey, Hon. Peter Donald, Ekaette Etim Okon, Barr. Aniebiet Archibong, Barr. Anietie Bassey and Hon. Idongesit Ituen.
