Stakeholders in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District have intensified calls for the re-election of Distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson.
The call was made last weekend during the inauguration of Ekong Sampson Believers at Lugard Terrace, WatBridge Hotel and Suites, Uyo where political leaders and prominent figures met to endorse Senator Sampson’s continuity.
They insisted that, sustaining a ranking senator in the National Assembly is critical to securing greater influence, federal presence, and accelerated development for the district.
Chairman of the occasion and immediate past Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, said re-electing Senator Sampson was both a strategic and intelligent political choice.
He explained that ranking legislators enjoy deeper knowledge of parliamentary procedures, stronger networks, and greater privileges that translate into tangible benefits for their constituencies.
According to Ekuwem, Sampson’s ranking status would position him to effectively follow up on the establishment of the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) recently approved by the National Assembly through a bill he sponsored.
“The passage of the FMC bill is a landmark achievement for the district. Re-electing Senator Sampson is the only way to ensure that this milestone moves from legislation to implementation,” Ekuwem said, describing the senator as a prepared and capable leader with the political will to deliver people-oriented projects.
Hon. Pat Ifon, former member of the House of Representatives and APC leader in Onna Local Government Area corroborated Dr. Ekuwem stressing that, Akwa Ibom South deserves the legislative advantage that comes with a ranking senator.
The position, he noted, aligns with the resolution reached by stakeholders of the district during December 2025 meeting in Eket, chaired by the former minister, Chief Ndueso Essien, where participants unanimously adopted Sampson for re-election.
They agreed that stability, consistency, and continuity were essential at a time when legislative ranking could translate into greater bargaining power and accelerated federal projects.
In a lecture titled “Leadership and Democratic Consolidation in Nigeria,” Professor Ibia Ibia recalled Emperor Haile Selassie, warning that inaction, indifference, and silence often enable injustice to thrive.
He described the emergence of the Ekong Sampson Believers as a timely response to this warning, saying that, democratic progress depends not only on leaders but also on courageous citizens.
Hon. Icon, commended the group as a grassroots vanguard and mobilizers committed to defending capacity, competence, and continuity in Akwa Ibom South.
The Forum’s Chairman, Mr. Idoreyin Ukpong, and former Special Assistant to ex-Governor Udom Emmanuel, described Senator Sampson as a passionate servant-leader whose record continues to inspire confidence across the district.
He urged members to remain united and active, stressing that Sampson’s return to the Senate would consolidate existing gains and unlock new development opportunities.
Senator Ekong Sampson, who was represented by Hon. Nkereuwem James, received overwhelming endorsement from party leaders, traditional rulers, and community stakeholders, who pledged to mobilize their subjects in support of sustained, impact-driven representation.
The inauguration ended with renewed commitments from members across the Senatorial District to defend continuity and ensure that Akwa Ibom South retains its growing legislative influence at the national level.
The event attracted goodwill messages from several prominent figures, including Sir Michael Essang, Director-General of the Ekong Sampson Campaigns; Etebom Ime Ekong, Clan Head of Ibiaku in Mkpat Enin and Hon. Aniedie Ekanem, Secretary of Mkpat Enin Local Government Council.
