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Politics thrives on clarity of roles, respect for institutions and loyalty to established democratic processes. Anything short of this breeds confusion, suspicion and ultimately, crisis. The recent statement credited to the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Otong, to the effect that APC House of Assembly tickets for the 2027 general elections have been handed over to him to distribute at his discretion, is not just troubling—it is politically incendiary.
In a normal and well-ordered political clime, ticket allocation is neither a personal gift nor an inherited privilege. It is a product of consultations, negotiations and consensus-building led by the political leader of the state—the governor—in conjunction with party stakeholders. This tradition is not ceremonial; it is the glue that holds party unity and governmental stability together.
Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, Ph.D., by virtue of his office and political mandate, remains the unquestioned political leader of Akwa Ibom State. His leadership style—calm, accommodating and consultative—has so far helped douse tensions and promote inclusiveness. However, that very disposition must not be mistaken for weakness or abdication of authority.
The Speaker’s utterance raises several unsettling questions. Was he merely misreading the governor’s body language? Or has he, by assuming the number three position in the state, begun to imagine himself as a parallel power centre—one with the authority to “appoint” legislators just as the governor appoints commissioners? If so, that is a grave misunderstanding of democratic governance. Members of the House of Assembly are elected by the people, not appointed by the Speaker, the governor, or any individual no matter how highly placed.
Even more disturbing is the impression that the Speaker may be attempting to exercise gubernatorial influence within the hallowed chambers, turning legislative leadership into a political fiefdom. If unchecked, such overreach risks blurring the separation of powers and dragging the House into needless controversy.
Is Rt. Hon. Otong testing the limits of the governor’s patience? Is he exploiting Pastor Eno’s quiet strength and accessible nature to rub shoulders politically, positioning himself as an alternative centre of authority? These perceptions—whether intended or not—are dangerous. Politics is as much about perception as it is about action and this particular perception does not serve the interest of party unity or stable governance.
Century Newsfront is of the firm view that silence at this point would be costly. The governor must reassert, clearly and unambiguously that party structures and democratic norms remain intact. Stakeholders must also speak up. Allowing such statements to linger unchallenged sends the wrong signal to party members, aspirants and the general public.
Akwa Ibom does not need a cold war between the executive and the legislature. Neither does it need a speaker who appears to be drifting beyond his constitutional and political lane. Loyalty to the governor and respect for democratic processes are not optional virtues; they are necessities.
If this moment is not properly managed, what looks like a ‘casual’ statement today could become a full-blown political crisis tomorrow. And history will not be kind to those who mistook humility for helplessness. Ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo once said that loyalty is 100 per cent, NOT ninety nine.
