By Solomon OKPO
A storm of controversy has erupted in Akwa Ibom State following allegations that the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Udeme Otong, may have engaged in undisclosed negotiations with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over legislative tickets.
More than 48 hours after the allegations surfaced, public concern continues to grow over the silence of INEC, with citizens, civil society groups and media stakeholders questioning the credibility and independence of the electoral body in the state.
The claims, made publicly by Speaker Otong, described by critics as the “number three citizen” of Akwa Ibom State and a public office holder funded by taxpayers, suggest that he single-handedly negotiated with INEC and allegedly took possession of 26 House of Assembly tickets, effectively holding what critics describe as “the mandate of the Akwa Ibom people.”
The allegations have triggered a barrage of questions: Was INEC involved in any form of negotiation with the Speaker? If so, under what legal framework? If not, why has the commission failed to issue an immediate and categorical denial?
Observers argue that INEC’s continued silence risks eroding public trust in the electoral process. Some commentators have gone as far as questioning whether the commission is functioning effectively in Akwa Ibom State or whether its local presence has been reduced to a formality.
Civil liberty organisations insist that the matter transcends partisan politics and strikes at the heart of democratic accountability. They maintain that citizens have an unquestionable right to know whether their electoral mandate was compromised and demand full disclosure of any alleged “terms of agreement” between the Speaker and the electoral umpire.
Media groups and advocacy organisations within and outside the state are now calling on INEC to respond openly and transparently to the allegations, warning that failure to do so could compel citizens to formally petition the commission for clarification.
As pressure mounts, analysts say the credibility of INEC in Akwa Ibom State now hinges on its willingness to address the allegations decisively and restore public confidence in the sanctity of the electoral process. Silence, they warn, is no longer a neutral option.
The Evangelist News
