Uyo indigenes demand zoning of State Assembly seat to Offot Ukwa clan

A socio‑political group in Akwa Ibom State, the Uyo Liberation Movement (ULM), has called on political parties in the state to zone the Uyo State Constituency seat to the Offot Ukwa Clan. The group says this would allow the clan to elect a lawmaker who represents Uyo in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in 2027.

The demand was issued in a 13‑point communique signed by ULM President Barr. Udeme Ekott and Secretary‑General Elder Emmanuel Sam on 17 May 2026 in Uyo.

ULM criticised attempts by certain individuals to disrupt the existing zoning arrangement in Uyo, which it says has maintained peace in the local government area since the return of democracy in 1999.

Part of the communique stated: “That Uyo Liberation Movement (ULM) was birthed following the need to have a neutral, independent, and strong voice to advocate the interest of Uyo Local Government and her people ahead of the 2027 election.”

“ULM has observed the deliberate attempt by certain individuals who do not mean well for Uyo, to disrupt the existing zoning formula of Uyo House of Assembly seat which has fostered peace and unity among the people since the return of the current democratic dispensation in 1999.”

The group said it is now the turn of the Offot Clan to produce the lawmaker representing Uyo in the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly in 2027. It lamented that the current representative lacks the capacity to provide effective representation and should not be allowed to return in 2027.

“ULM states emphatically that it is the right of Offot Ukwa Clan to produce the next House of Assembly member for Uyo State Constituency in 2027, as Uyo has operated a one‑term formula in the House of Assembly.”

“ULM strongly kicks against the plan to short‑change Uyo by rewarding a non‑performing representative with a second term, thereby dragging the local government backwards as well as disrupting the political arrangement that has unified the people for so many years.”

“ULM further states that it will amount to a total waste of another four years to give a second term to a representative whom the powers that be do not consider qualified to occupy a key principal office in the State Assembly, except they want to embarrass Uyo,” the communique added.

ULM urged members of the Offot Ukwa Clan to contest the 2027 election and expressed willingness to work with any political party that will zone the Uyo State Constituency ticket to the clan.

“ULM foresees a lose‑lose scenario for Uyo should a non‑performing representative be given a second term to continue his poor performance while also failing to secure at least the position of a Deputy Speaker in the next Assembly.”

“ULM is non‑partisan but will be ready to work across the board with any political party or parties that are willing to support justice and fairness by presenting a House of Assembly candidate from Offot Ukwa Clan.”

“We call on all sons and daughters of Offot Ukwa Clan who are eminently qualified to contest for House of Assembly to be bold to do so in any political party and never to be intimidated.”

ULM reminded the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in Akwa Ibom State that the people of Uyo are not alien to opposition politics and will not hesitate to work with any party that protects the collective interest of the people.

“ULM wants to remind the ruling party that Uyo people are not new to opposition politics and will make that bold statement at the polls in 2027, the same way they spoke in 2011. Uyo Local Government Area is the seat of power, and we deserve better,” ULM concluded in its communique.