The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Akwa Ibom State Chapter, has expressed strong displeasure over a disturbing statement credited to the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Udeme Ottong, in which he allegedly boasted that he “has the election tickets of the 26 members of the House of Assembly in his pocket.”
In a statement signed by the State Chairman, Elder Inemesit Akpan, the NNPP described the remark as irresponsible, undemocratic, and an affront to the political rights of the people of Akwa Ibom State. He warned that no individual—regardless of office—has the authority to appropriate the democratic destinies of entire constituencies.
The party views the alleged boast as a dangerous attempt to intimidate aspiring lawmakers across political parties, manipulate party structures, and undermine the principles of internal democracy. According to the NNPP, Akwa Ibom’s political space “cannot and will not be reduced to the personal estate of any political actor.”
The statement reaffirmed that election tickets are not personal property, bargaining chips, or instruments of political domination, but belong to the people through transparent, lawful party processes.
The NNPP therefore called on the Speaker to immediately retract the statement and publicly recommit to democratic norms. “Akwa Ibom State has a proud history of political maturity, and we will not allow any individual to drag our democracy backwards,” the party said.