Akwa Ibom Constituents Launch Formal Recall Petition Against Assembly Speaker Udeme Otong Over Alleged Underperformance

Abak constituents petition INEC to recall Speaker Udeme Otong, citing seven years of underperformance and undemocratic remarks on the 2027 elections.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 12:09 PM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP

Constituents Initiate Historic Recall Process for State Speaker

A significant political crisis has emerged in Akwa Ibom as registered voters from the Abak State Constituency officially petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission to recall Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong. The movement, led by prominent local figures including Michael Asuquo Uko and Eno Christopher Idiong, marks a rare constitutional challenge to the Speaker of the State House of Assembly. According to the petitioners, the move is a direct consequence of a fundamental breakdown in the representative relationship. The group expressed profound dissatisfaction with Otong’s legislative output since 2019, characterizing his tenure as a period of below par achievements that failed to address the welfare and development aspirations of the Abak people.

Allegations of Legislative Inactivity and Poor Engagement

The formal complaint, routed through the Resident Electoral Commissioner in Uyo, details a persistent lack of visible commitment to the constituency’s interests. Petitioners claim that since assuming office in June 2019, Speaker Otong has failed to demonstrate the level of visibility and engagement required of a high ranking representative. The group argues that the mandate entrusted to him has been neglected, leading to a void in effective representation on the floor of the House. By exercising their rights under the 1999 Constitution, the voters intend to hold the Speaker accountable for what they describe as a "poor report card" that prioritizes personal political survival over collective progress.

Controversy Surrounding Predetermined Election Claims

Beyond performance metrics, the recall effort is fueled by inflammatory public remarks allegedly made by the Speaker regarding the 2027 general elections. The petition highlights claims that Otong boasted of having 26 House of Assembly tickets "in his pocket" and intended to personally decide how they would be distributed among aspirants. Such statements, the petitioners argue, suggest a predetermination of party procedures and undermine the democratic integrity of the electoral process. The constituents contend that these remarks imply an inappropriate level of control over the state's political future, bypassing the established guidelines of both the party and the national electoral body.