Lawmaker Fumes As Constituents Reject 2nd Term Bid

As angry constituents opposed his second term bid over alleged poor representation, the member representing Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara State Constituency in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Hon. Jerry Otu, has ordered the arrest of some of the protest leaders.

The protesters drawn from the two local government areas of the constituency – Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara, LEADERSHIP gathered took to the streets to question his representation, while rejecting his bid for another term in 2027.

The aggrieved constituents citing poor performance, lack of empowerment, and limited developmental impact across the constituency, vowed to carry out what they described as protest votes against the lawmaker.

“We reject any attempt by Hon. Jerry Otu, to impose himself on the constituency for second-term because of his woeful first term,” one of the protesters, Nsikan Bassey, vowed, insisting on their right to choose their own representative.

A lawyer, Barr. Ofonime Effiong, faulted the lawmaker on his resort to involve the police in a civil action, noting that the reported move to involve law enforcement agents “raises serious questions about democratic values, particularly the right of citizens to freely express dissatisfaction and demand accountability from elected officials.”

He argued that “asking for a performance review of a public office holder is not only legitimate, but fundamental to representative democracy,” warning that “any attempt to criminalise such demands could set a dangerous precedent and erode public trust.”

“This is not just about one constituency; it is about protecting the civic space and ensuring that citizens are not harassed or intimidated for speaking up,” he stressed.

The protest leaders including Barr. Akanimo Richard, Comrade Udeme Gabriel Inyang, and Comrade Joshua Akpan, our correspondent learnt, had earlier emphasised their commitment to peaceful engagement, stating that their actions would remain within the bounds of the law.

Also speaking, Obong CSP Emmanuel Udoh, a retired police officer, called on security agencies to act professionally and avoid being drawn into political disputes, explaining that “their role is to uphold justice and protect citizens’ rights, and not to suppress dissenting voices.”

He, therefore, urged political leaders to “embrace constructive criticisms, engage constituents openly, and provide clear accounts of their stewardship rather than resorting to measures perceived as intimidation.”