CALABAR– A fiery debate has erupted on social media over the performance of Hon. Peter Akpanke, the member representing Obudu/Bekwarra/Obanliku Federal Constituency in the tenth House of Representatives, as constituents trade sharp words over expectations and realities NEGROIDHAVEN can report.
The controversy began after a social media commentator, Unimke Abana, published a critical post on Facebook accusing Hon. Akpanke of underperformance. In a detailed opinion piece, Abana argued that with the resources available to a federal lawmaker, especially through constituency project allocations, Akpanke could have drastically transformed the constituency by facilitating overseas work visas for 500 young people.
“Just imagine Peter Akpanke sends 500 Bette people to the USA. Not for master’s degrees but through H1B visa-type programs. He’d have increased the income of 500 families by more than 5,000%,” Abana wrote. He further claimed that the resultant economic boom would enable families to install street lights, build better schools, purchase farm equipment, and spur local development.
“Four years is enough to send 500 people and affect 500 families,” he said, suggesting that such an initiative could be repeated in subsequent terms, thereby transforming the economic fortunes of 1,000 households in Bette land. Abana ended his post with a political punchline: “Don’t vote for Peter Akpanke in 2027, please.”
He also referenced viral allegations that each member of the House of Representatives receives over ₦1 billion annually for constituency projects since the removal of petrol subsidy by President Bola Tinubu. “Adie Ikor Jnr, come and defend Peter Akpanke,” Abana taunted, also calling on others such as Angilibi Adie Akpo and Juba Adah Ukong to explain the lawmaker’s record.
In a swift rebuttal, Adie Ikor Jnr, another active voice from the constituency, dismissed Abana’s claims as unrealistic and inflammatory. “You and this your senseless talks! Even a state government with full allocation that attempts sending 500 students abroad will sweat through their arse!” he fired back. “I don’t know how you gather this your senseless thoughts.”
The exchange has drawn a flurry of comments online, with some defending Akpanke’s efforts so far, and others echoing Abana’s frustration about slow development in the constituency.
While Hon. Akpanke has yet to respond officially to the debate, political analysts say the conversation reflects the rising public demand for impact-based representation and innovative approaches to tackling poverty and underdevelopment in Nigeria’s rural communities.
Observers also note that the expectations placed on lawmakers, especially regarding job creation and foreign exposure opportunities, touch on a growing shift in how constituents define effective governance from a legislator.
