Political stakeholders in Ikot Ekpene State Constituency have rejected any attempt to impose a consensus candidate or issue an automatic ticket for the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly primaries in Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking at a press conference in Ikot Ekpene on Thursday, former APC Assistant Secretary Umoh Amadu said stakeholders are united in their demand for a direct primary, describing it as the only transparent and democratic process that allows delegates and party members to freely choose their preferred candidate without intimidation, inducement, or imposition.
The stakeholders said their position is not aimed at promoting or attacking any individual but at protecting the interests of Ikot Ekpene and Obot Akara local government areas. They insisted that only a candidate with genuine grassroots support should emerge through a fair and open process.
Their position comes despite earlier calls from Governor Umo Eno for party stakeholders to peacefully select a consensus candidate. The stakeholders said such an arrangement would undermine internal democracy and could make the party vulnerable in the general election if an unpopular candidate is imposed.
While pledging support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Governor Eno based on their performances, they warned that Ikot Ekpene/Obot Akara would not support any candidate who has failed to deliver during previous tenures.
“We plead with our leaders not to sacrifice the entire community for personal gain,” Amadu said. “Let the popular candidate emerge through direct primary so that we can win the State Constituency seat and deliver our governor in the general election.”
The stakeholders described consensus candidacy as “antithetical to internal democratic ethos” and a violation of both the APC constitution and the Electoral Act 2022. They stressed that justice, fairness, and respect for the democratic rights of all party members are essential to maintaining unity and progress within the party.
