Political players in the Ikot Ekpene state constituency have rejected any kind of consensus candidacy or the issuance of an automatic ticket to an unpopular candidate for the Ikot-Ekpene/Obot Akara State constituency seat ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) State House of Assembly primaries in Akwa Ibom State.
They pointed out that if an unpopular candidate is hand-picked, this endeavor is not only undemocratic but also puts the party at risk of losing the general elections.
Recall that the governor, Pastor Umo Eno, had asked party members in various forums to peacefully and unanimously choose someone to fly the party’s flag during the primaries.
Speaking at a press conference on Thursday following the APC’s strategic stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday, they emphasized that the direct primary is the only transparent, democratic, and equitable process that would represent the will of the people since it allows delegates and party members to freely exercise their democratic rights free from coercion, intimidation, or imposition.
Speaking on behalf of the stakeholders, former APC Assistant Secretary Umoh Amadu lamented the attempt by a small number of people to force a candidate who, in their opinion, has true grassroots support, saying that such a move “is antithetical and unwelcomed.”
According to Amadu, their stance on rejecting consensus candidates was not intended to disparage or elevate anyone, but rather to advance the interests of the two local governments and enable the most capable local child to win a direct primary.
Amadu stated that the Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara people were not prepared to re-elect any representative who performed appallingly, even as they pledged their support for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Umo Eno based on their performances.
“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 upcoming All Progressives Congress (APC) State House of Assembly primaries,” he said.
The APC constitution and the Electoral Act 2026 both uphold the principles of fair play, and any process like consensus that gives a small number of people the chance to subvert the wishes of the majority in order to impose candidates who frequently lack true grassroots support is incompatible with internal democratic ethos.
“We beg our leaders not to compromise the community as a whole for their own gain. In order for us to win our state constituency and elect our governor in the general election, they ought to permit the well-liked candidate to win our primary.
This news conference is for the benefit of the Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State constituency so that we can fully benefit from democracy, not to disparage or advance the interests of any specific candidate.
“We dare say that our party can only be united and progressive if justice, fairness, and respect for the democratic rights of all members are given their due consideration, even though we unreservedly pledge our unwavering and unalloyed support for our party, the APC.”
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