•Slam Rep for abysmal performance
Political tensions are mounting across Oro Nation in Akwa Ibom State as multiple socio-political groups intensify calls for the House of Representatives seat to be zoned to Udung Uko Local Government Area ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing what they describe as poor representation, lack of accountability, and deepening inequality.
The growing agitation comes amid widespread criticism of the lawmaker representing Oron Federal Constituency, Hon. Martins Esin, whose performance has come under sustained scrutiny following a controversial stakeholders’ meeting on the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO).
Several groups, including the Oro Youth Movement (OYOM) and the Oro Liberation Movement, have strongly condemned what they described as a “misplaced” and “deceptive” stakeholders’ engagement convened in Uyo.
According to OYOM, the meeting, which lasted over four hours, failed to provide a substantive update on the implementation of the UMSO Act, a key legislative achievement expected to drive development in the region.
Instead, the forum allegedly devolved into what critics called a political endorsement exercise lacking transparency and measurable outcomes.
The group lamented the absence of a clear legislative roadmap, noting that critical questions surrounding the implementation of the UMSO Act, including the role of National Assembly committees and persistent legal contradictions in budgetary allocations, were left unanswered.
“It was a missed opportunity for accountability,” the group stated, emphasizing that no comprehensive constituency briefing has been conducted by the lawmaker since assuming office.
The Oro Liberation Movement went further, alleging that attendees at the meeting were “misled, cornered, and hoodwinked” into endorsing the lawmaker for a second term.
“What was presented as a stakeholders’ engagement has now been exposed as a calculated act of deception,” the group declared, rejecting the endorsement as “null and void.”
At the center of the controversy is the prolonged delay in implementing the UMSO Act, which stakeholders insist has gone beyond administrative bottlenecks to reflect deeper political interests.
OYOM argued that despite the Act being a valid law, there has been no meaningful progress toward operationalising the institution, raising concerns about legislative effectiveness and political will.
The group also questioned why funds continue to be appropriated for an institution “no longer recognised by law,” describing the situation as a constitutional anomaly.
Drawing comparisons with similar federal institutions, stakeholders pointed to the rapid establishment of a university in Ogoni following direct presidential engagement, contrasting it with what they described as stagnation in Oro.
“The delay is no longer procedural; it is political,” the group asserted, calling for direct engagement with the Presidency as the only viable solution.
Beyond performance concerns, the agitation has taken a broader political dimension, with increasing calls for equity and power rotation within Oro Nation.
The Oro Redemption Forum, in an open letter to Governor Umo Eno, warned against the concentration of political power in Oron Local Government Area, noting that the area already holds the House of Representatives seat and is projected to retain the Deputy Governorship position.
The group described the situation as a violation of long-standing principles of fairness and inclusiveness, arguing that Udung Uko LGA has been historically marginalized, having never produced a National Assembly member.
“To sustain unity and political stability, the House of Representatives seat should be zoned to Udung Uko if the Deputy Governorship remains in Oron,” the forum stated.
Similarly, the Oro Liberation Movement demanded that Oron relinquish one of the two key positions in the interest of justice and balance.
The agitation gained further momentum following the resignation of Prince Edenseting as Chief of Staff to the Chairman of Udung Uko LGA.
In his resignation letter, Edenseting cited the need to uphold his political convictions, particularly his support for the agitation for Udung Uko to produce the next House of Representatives member.
He noted that advocacy for equity was being misinterpreted within the political system, creating tension and necessitating his exit to avoid conflict.
Observers say the resignation underscores the deepening divisions within the political structure of Oro Nation ahead of 2027.
Across the statements, a recurring theme is the demand for transparency and a verifiable scorecard of representation.
Stakeholders questioned the absence of consistent engagement between the lawmaker and his constituents, as well as the lack of tangible outcomes despite years in office.
They also raised concerns over what they described as a pattern of relocating critical constituency meetings from Oron, thereby limiting grassroots participation.
“Deception is not leadership, and manipulation is not representation,” one statement read, reflecting the growing frustration among constituents.
With tensions rising, groups across Oro Nation are calling for a political reset anchored on equity, accountability, and performance.
They insist that any attempt to secure a second term without demonstrable achievements undermines democratic principles and the collective aspirations of the people.
As the 2027 elections approach, the demand for zoning the House of Representatives seat to Udung Uko continues to gain traction, positioning the debate as both a test of political fairness and a referendum on representation in Oro Federal Constituency.
