By Solomon OKPO and Asam Abia
Tension rose in parts of Eket on Saturday as youths from Eket, Esit Eket and Onna Local Government Areas staged a peaceful protest against the member representing Eket Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Okpolupm Etteh.
The protest took place during the lawmaker’s visit to Eket for a stakeholders’ meeting held at Villa Marina Hotel, reportedly part of consultations ahead of his second term ambition.
The demonstrators gathered in front of the meeting venue, carrying placards and banners expressing strong opposition to Etteh’s re-election bid. The protesters accused the lawmaker of poor performance and alleged actions they claimed were contrary to the collective interest of the constituency.
Some of the placards read: “Eket Federal Constituency rejects Okpolupm Etteh and any Obolo aspirant for 2027. Enough is Enough,” “Okpolupm, you sponsored unauthorized name change for Eket and Esit Eket,” “We reject you for sponsoring campaign for Obolo State creation,” “Okpolupm Etteh, stop misleading Ibeno youths,” and “Etteh, you abused Ibeno tenure in the Green Chamber.”
Another banner displayed by the protesters read: “Eket Federal Constituency is for Peace, Justice and Fairness. Enough is Enough.”
Speaking on behalf of the group, the spokesperson of the protesters, Comrade Udeme James, said the youths and people of Eket, Esit Eket and Onna had resolved not to support any aspirant from Ibeno or the Obolo extraction in the 2027 House of Representatives election.
According to him, the decision followed what they described as repeated experiences where leadership opportunities given to individuals from Ibeno allegedly worked against the collective interest of the constituency.
“We the youths and people of Eket, Esit Eket and Onna will not allow any Ibeno or Obolo aspirant into the National Assembly because each time an Ibeno man is given an opportunity of leadership, they work against our collective interest,” he said.
James added that the protest was aimed at sending a clear message that the performance of the current lawmaker had fallen below the expectations of the people of the constituency.
He said the people had assessed the lawmaker’s stewardship in the National Assembly and concluded that his performance did not merit a second term in office.
Despite their grievances, the protesters reaffirmed their support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, describing their leadership as deserving of continued support.
“We will vote massively for President Tinubu and Governor Umo Eno in the next election,” he added.
The protesters further insisted that political fairness and equity demand that the next member representing Eket Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives should emerge from Eket Local Government Area.
They maintained that their agitation was not driven by hostility but by a quest for justice, balance and the protection of the constituency’s collective interest.
The demonstration remained peaceful throughout as the youths maintained their presence outside the hotel while the stakeholders’ meeting continued inside the venue.
Meanwhile, the President General of the Ekid People’s Union (EPU), Dr. Samuel Udonsak, had earlier stated during a radio interview on XL 106.9 FM, anchored by Bush House Nigeria, that Ekid nation would apply what he described as the “doctrine of necessity” in the 2027 general elections.
Udonsak specifically noted that Eket Local Government Area would pursue the House of Representatives seat in 2027.
