Young people from the Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency are against the All Progressives Congress (APC) trying to reserve a Senate seat in Akwa Ibom South for themselves.
They wanted open primaries so that all candidates could see how popular they were.
On Friday, a peaceful protest at the Ikot Abasi council headquarters brought together young people from the Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo, and Ikot Abasi local governments. They called for a fair and open democratic process before the party primaries.
The young people held signs that said things like “We would choose our leaders,” “Fairness, Equality, and Transparency,” “The voice of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency Youths matters,” “We support Pastor Umo Eno for 2nd term, We support Tinubu for 2nd term,” “Open primaries will bring more support for APC,” “We say no automatic ticket for Senate seat,” “No automatic ticket for a senator that is not performing,” and “We stand on the decision of Eket senatorial district.”
Youth leader Ayan Richard spoke to the protesters and praised the stakeholders for making the Eket Senatorial District race open to all qualified candidates while limiting it to candidates from the Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency.
He did, however, say that the young people would strongly oppose any attempt to give “a non-performing senator” an automatic ticket. He stressed that leadership must come about through a fair and open process.
“We can’t decide the future of our district behind closed doors.” He said, “The people must choose their leaders.”
Richard said that the Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency has good sons and daughters who could run for senator in the upcoming APC primary later this month. He also said that letting the current senator, Ekong Sampson, stay in office would hurt the party’s credibility and make it less popular.
Some people in the senatorial district support the current senator, Ekong Sampson, who is running for a second term. His supporters are stressing the importance of having experience and skill.
In his speech, Akparawa Friday Akpan Jack told young people, women, and other important people in the area to come together and reject what he called the “reinforcement of failure” that came with an automatic ticket.
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