Youths from the Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency have kicked against any attempt by the All Progressives Congress, APC, to reserve automatic ticket for the Senate seat in Akwa Ibom South.
They called for open primaries and a level playing field for all aspirants to test their popularity.
During a peaceful protest at the Ikot Abasi council headquarters on Friday, the youths drawn from Mkpat Enin, Eastern Obolo, and Ikot Abasi local governments, called for an inclusive and credible democratic process ahead of the party primaries.
The youths displayed placards with inscriptions such as ‘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’.
Addressing the protesters, youth leader Ayan Richard commended stakeholders for declaring the Eket Senatorial District contest open to all qualified aspirants while micro-zoning the race to candidates from the Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency.
He warned, however, that the youths would firmly resist any attempt to impose an automatic ticket on “a non-performing senator”, stressing that leadership must emerge through a transparent and competitive process.
“The future of our constituency cannot be decided behind closed doors. The people must choose their leaders,” he said.
Richard noted that Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency has credible sons and daughters who could emerge senatorial candidates in the coming APC primary later this month, adding that allowing the incumbent, Senator Ekong Sampson, to continue would discredit the credibility of the party and make it unpopular.
DAILY POST reports that the incumbent senator, Ekong Sampson, who is currently aspiring for a second term, enjoys the support of some stakeholders in the senatorial district. His supporters are emphasizing on the need for experienced and competence.
Meanwhile, Akparawa Friday Akpan Jack, in his speech called on young people, women, and stakeholders across the constituency to unite and reject what he termed the reinforcement of failure under the guise of an automatic ticket.
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