Ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State House of Assembly primaries in Akwa Ibom State, political stakeholders in Ikot Ekpene state constituency have rejected any form of consensus candidacy or issuance of automatic ticket to an unpopular aspirant for the Ikot-Ekpene/Obot Akara State constituency seat.
They noted that such attempt was not only undemocratic but would render the party vulnerable to defeat at the general elections if unpopular candidate is handpicked.
It could be recalled that the governor, Pastor Umo Eno had in different fora urged party stakeholders to unanimously and peacefully select any person of their choice to flag the party’s flag at the primaries.
Addressing a press conference on Thursday, after a strategic stakeholders’ meeting of APC on Wednesday, they insisted that direct primary is the only transparent, democratic, and fair process that would reflect the will of the people as delegates and party members are availed the opportunity to freely exercise their democratic right without intimidation, inducement, or imposition.
Former APC Assistant Secretary, Umoh Amadu, who spoke on behalf of the stakeholders, regretted the attempt by few individuals to foist a candidate who according to them does not enjoy genuine grassroots support, noting that such move “is antithetical and unwelcomed.”
Amadu said their stand on rejection of consensus candidacy was not to attack or promote anyone but to push the interest of the two local governments and allow the most competent son or daughter of the area to emerge through direct primary.
While pledging their support for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Godswill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno based on their performances, Amadu said Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara people were not ready to re-elect any representative who performed abysmally.
He said, “APC Stakeholders in Ikot Ekpene vehemently reject the undemocratic agenda of consensus candidacy/automatic ticket for any hopeful for the Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency seat in the forthcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) State House of Assembly primaries.
“Any process such as consensus, which conveys on a few individuals the opportunity to circumvent the wishes of the majority to foist candidates who most often do not enjoy genuine grassroots support, is antithetical to internal democratic ethos and an intemperate rape to principles of fair play as enshrined in the APC constitution as well as the Electoral Act 2026.
“We plead with our leaders not to sacrifice the entire community because of their benefit. They should allow the popular candidate to win our primary so that in the general election, we win our State constituency and deliver our Governor.
“This press conference is not to attack anyone or further the interest of any particular candidate rather for the interest of Ikot Ekpene/ Obot Akara State constituency, for us to enjoy full democratic dividends.
“While we unreservedly pledge our steadfast and unalloyed support for our party, the APC, 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.”
