By Divine Sam
All is not well with the campaign council of the Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Mr. Udeme Otong, as serious cracks have emerged within his political structure following the decision of Dr. Aniekan Inyang, elder brother of Rt. Hon. Apostle Ekerette Inyang, incumbent Director-General of the Speaker’s third-term ambition for Abak State Constituency.
Speaking with journalists in Ikot Ekpene, Dr. Aniekan Inyang narrated what he described as the genesis of his relationship with Udeme Otong and why he has decided to withdraw his support and endorse the ADC candidate for the State House of Assembly election in 2027.
According to Dr. Inyang, “In 2019, Udeme Otong came to my office in Ikot Ekpene begging me to support his ambition to the State House of Assembly. Not only did he seek my support, he also pleaded with me to convince my brother, Rt. Hon. Apostle Ekerette Inyang, who was already being approached by another political camp in Midim for the job of a campaign DG. After much pleading, I was able to convince my brother and personally introduced Udeme Otong to him. That was how everything started.”
Dr. Inyang further recalled that when the contest for the PDP ticket became intense in 2019, his brother stood firmly behind Udeme Otong despite several temptations and offers from other camps my brother rejected the giant offers because I compelled him to stand with Udeme Otong.
“I remember vividly that my brother rejected over ₦15 million because he had already taken a stand with Udeme Otong. We believed in him and sacrificed for him because we thought he was a man of integrity,” he stated.
Explaining his personal involvement, Dr. Inyang said he supported Udeme Otong because both of them were in the medical profession and shared a cordial relationship in Ikot Ekpene medical business.
“He promised to open a pharmacy business for me and I believed him. I thought I was dealing with a reasonable human being. When he won in 2019, I presented a big cow during his inauguration ceremony. He was excited and assured me that the pharmacy project would be among the first things he would do. Months turned into years and nothing happened.”
Dr. Inyang alleged that after several reminders, the Speaker intentionally began avoiding him and even denied he never made such promises.
“I reminded him repeatedly, more than three times. At some point, he stopped taking my calls and even avoided me during public functions. Suddenly, when it was time for his second-term ambition in 2023, he started calling again and pretending everything was normal.”
According to him, he was prepared to confront the Speaker over the issue but was persuaded by his brother to remain calm and continue supporting him.
“My brother pleaded with me because he was still serving as Campaign DG. Out of respect for him, I listened and supported Udeme Otong again in 2023. I spent my resources and contributed immensely to his success. Looking back now, I can confidently say that Udeme Otong is a master of using people and dumping them after achieving his ambition.”
Dr. Inyang said the Speaker of repeatedly disrespecting and disappointing those who stood by him politically runs in his veins.
“He disgraced my brother twice. He made my brother spend money and political capital on a project he knew from the beginning was built on deceit. He did the same thing during commissioner appointments. He believes he is smarter than everybody and that he can continue using and dumping people at will let’s see how this will survive”
Dr. Inyang insisted that he would never support the Speaker’s third-term ambition.
“I will never support Udeme Otong’s third term. No matter what happens, I will not support him. He thinks people will continue to tolerate his tricks and empty promises. That era is over.”
Dr. Inyang also questioned the Speaker’s commitment to empowerment and grassroots development.
“Can you imagine a public office holder saying he has no business with empowerment until the governor gives him a ticket? Is that the mindset of someone who truly represents the people? Udeme Otong is a big scam
This is a serious setback for the Speaker’s camp, Dr. Inyang announced his decision to adopt and support the ADC candidate for the State House of Assembly.
According to him, it is the turn of Eastern Annang to produce the next representative of Abak State Constituency in 2027.
Meanwhile, in another development, Mr. John John, Personal Assistant to Apostle Ekerette Inyang, has dismissed reports suggesting that a vehicle presented to him by Apostle Ekerette Inyang was purchased by the Speaker.
John described the claim as another attempt to deceive the public.
“Let anyone visit the Speaker’s compound and verify whether there is any such quality vehicle parked there. Udeme Otong cannot use what my boss gave me to scam the public and claim credit for what he did not provide.”
He further promised to release a video response to expose what he described as false narratives and deliberate attempts to mislead the people. Udeme Otong is a big political scammer.
As the 2027 political season gathers momentum, the latest development has further exposed the growing discontent within the Speaker’s political camp, with former allies openly accusing him of betrayal, abandonment of loyal supporters, and a pattern of making promises that are never fulfilled
Leave a Reply