The Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, has ignited widespread controversy following remarks credited to him at a stakeholders’ meeting in Abak, where he reportedly boasted of total control over the state’s House of Assembly tickets ahead of the next election.
The comments, captured on video and now circulating widely on social media, have triggered sharp criticism from citizens who view the claims as undemocratic, arrogant and indicative of political overreach.
At the meeting, Otong was quoted as saying that his third-term election would be “the freest, cheapest and most successful,” adding that the process would be concluded before noon on election day.
He further claimed that all 26 House of Assembly tickets across the state were already “in his pocket,” asserting that he alone had the negotiations and would personally decide who emerges as lawmakers in the various local government constituencies.
According to the Speaker, no other individual played a role in the process, and the tickets would be distributed at his discretion.
The remarks immediately drew a storm of reactions online, particularly under a Facebook post by TheMail newspaper, where many commenters condemned the statement as a threat to internal party democracy and the electorate’s right to choose their representatives.
Several reactions framed the comments as a display of excessive political confidence that could invite unforeseen consequences.
Obong Tom likened Otong’s boast to biblical stories of overconfidence, recalling Nebuchadnezzar and the rich man whose pride preceded their downfall.
Lucky Goodnews questioned the practicality of the Speaker’s claim, asking whether Otong could truly impose candidates on constituencies such as Onna State Constituency without resistance.
Efene Idiongo-Abasi dismissed the assertion outright, saying the Speaker’s “pocket” could not possibly contain tickets belonging to other constituencies.
Other reactions struck a moral and cautionary tone. Edet Ukoh sarcastically asked whether Otong had assumed the role of God, warning that life itself is uncertain and that political plans can be abruptly disrupted.
Giovanni Ikpoto interpreted the statement as a reflection of what he described as a political culture where leaders now openly admit to behind-the-scenes negotiations and self-interest rather than concealing them. EkomAbasi Jacob echoed biblical warnings, recalling the parable of a man who hoarded wealth only to die suddenly, stressing that power and privilege are fleeting.
Some critics challenged the Speaker’s political record and influence. Isaiah Abel questioned how someone who, in his view, struggles to determine even a ward councillorship could claim authority over all 26 House seats, derisively referring to the Assembly as a “rubber stamp.”
God’stime Akpaso described the remarks as “audio talk” and called for a public assessment of Otong’s performance as Speaker, asking how many bills he had sponsored or passed, how many jobs he had facilitated for constituents, and how many oversight functions he had conducted.
He advised the Speaker to reconsider third-term ambitions, warning that success was far from guaranteed.
Other comments combined sarcasm with frustration. Israel Ekanem bluntly urged the Speaker to “rest,” while another commenter mocked the quality and visibility of House of Assembly members, questioning their impact and relevance.
