By Edet Okpo
Impressed by his quality representation, competence, sound and robust legislative engagements, as well as stellar performance in the 10th National Assembly, prominent stakeholders, movers and shakers of politics and community leaders have unanimously passed a vote of confidence on the chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals and senator representing Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District in the Nigerian Senate and adopted him for a second term in office.
The stakeholders also moved to end a single tenure or replacement option for a senator in the senatorial district and insisted on competence, experience and continuity to enable the senatorial district witness more developments and benefit more dividends of democracy.
These resolutions were reached Tuesday, December 30, 2025, during end-of-the-year briefing and interface with stakeholders of the senatorial district across party lines, held at Villa Marina Hotels, Eket, Akwa Ibom State.
After listening to a detailed and comprehensive briefing by senator Ekong Sampson, a motion was duly moved by the immediate past secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Engr. Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem and seconded by a former Member representing Eket Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Abuja and Honorary Special Adviser to Governor Umo Eno on Agriculture, Họn. Dr. Owoidighe Ekpotai for the endorsement and adoption of Senator Ekong Sampson for a second term in office as senator representing Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.
The duly moved and seconded motion was subsequently unanimously ratified through a voice vote by all the stakeholders at the meeting.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman, Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District Elders Forum and former Member of the House of Representatives, Abuja, Chief Nduese Essien, described Senator Ekong Sampson as one of the most active and articulate lawmakers in the floor of the Senate that has also upped the ante of performance in the trinity mandate of lawmaking, oversight and representation.
Chief Essien who is also a former Federal Minister for Lands, Housing and Urban Development called on stakeholders of the District to stop prioritising stomach infrastructure over quality development, impact in representation and governance, empowerment and job creation for the constituents.
According to the Chairman of the Senatorial District Elders Forum, Senator Ekong Sampson has done excellently well in representation which is the main purpose hẹ was sent to the National Assembly. “This is just two years and as critical Stakeholders, We are satisfied with his representation”, hẹ remarked.
In their separate remarks, Sir, Adasi Obolum, former Member of Akwa Ibom State House Of Assembly,from Eastern Obolo, Arc Otu Ita Toyo, a chieftain Of APC from Udung Uko, Barr Ekpong Edemumoh from Oron, Dr. Idorenyin Umoh from Ikot Abasi, Họn. Dr. Owoidighe Ekpotai, former Member Of House Of Representatives, Abuja, from Onna, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem from Mbo, Họn. Bassey Dan Abia, former Member, House Of Representatives, Abuja, from Esit Eket, Chief William Mkpa from Ibeno, Prof Peter Esuh from Urueoffong/Oruko, Mr. Emmanuel Mbong from Eket, Dr. Barr Efiong Osung from Okobo, Dr. S. Udofot from Mkpat Enin were unanimous in commending Senator Ekong Sampson for his superlative and development driven representation.
They expressed optimism that before the end of Senator Ekong Sampson’s tenure in the Senate, Akwa Ibom South Eket Senatorial District will witness massive infrastructural renaissance, human empowerment and human capacity development.
Addressing the mammoth crowd of Stakeholders, the chairman, Senate Committee on Solid Minerals and Senator representing Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District in the National Assembly, expressed deep gratitude to the stakeholders for giving him a pat on the back and for unanimously adopting him as a sole candidate for the 2027 National Assembly election for Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.
Ekong Sampson disclosed that on legislative engagements, hẹ has sponsored and co-sponsored several bills and motions aimed at addressing critical national and regional concerns, including a bill for the establishment of Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi (awaiting third reading and passage), Federal Medical Centers Amendment bill (Passage into Law), a bill for the establishment of Federal Medical Center in Eket (Second reading), and a bill for the establishment of South South Development Commission (Co-sponsored and passed into law as well as strong advocacy for speedy take-off of Federal University Of Maritime Studies, Oron.
“Through advocacy at plenary and committee engagements, I have consistently raised issues bothering on infrastructure development, maritime and coastal economy, environmental protection, youth empowerment, education, industrial revolution and most prominently, the reactivation of the moribund ALSCON in Ikot Abasi Local Government Area”, he said.
Ekong Sampson hinted that beyond lawmaking, hẹ has pursued constituency -driven interventions and facilitated projects across the 12 local government areas of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.
Hẹ listed them to include recent disbursement of 100 Million Naira Education Grants for 500 Students and 25 teachers, massive empowerment and training programmes, employment of over 40 constituents in Federal MDAs, donation of more than 250 Millions Naira, cars, motorcycles and business grants to constituents and APC party structure in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District and the physically challenged persons.
Others include the ongoing erosion control project in Ekeya, Okobo; provision of electrification project with 500KVA transformer in Ikot Akpandem, Okon Eket, Eyobiasang in Urue Offong Oruko; solar-powered boreholes and lighting in several communities, construction of ICT/computer-based test centres at Excellence College, Mkpat Enin, St. Francis Secondary School, Ikot Ataku, Eket and St. Vincent Secondary School, Oti Oro in Okobo Local Government Area; construction of Staff quarters and hostel at Excellence College, School block at Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi; construction of Medical facilities in Immanuel Hospital, Eket, General Hospital Ikot Abasi and General Hospital, Iquita in Oron Local Government Area.
While appreciating the Senate President and Governor Umo Eno for their support to him, Sen Sampson announced plans to hold the second component of the phase two of his empowerment initiative where constituents will be empowered with cars, mini buses, tricycle, motorcycles, outboard engine, business grants and cash.
Hẹ used the occasion to drum support for President Bola Tinubu, Senator Goodwill Akpabio and Governor Umo Eno PhD beyond 2027.
Collaborating the position of the stakeholders of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the adoption of Senator Ekong Sampson for Second term and the need to put to an end, the option of replacement or single tenure for senatorial office in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, the Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor, Senator Akon Eyakenyi PhD, represented by former chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Ikpoto Okon Osung, also acknowledged the robust relationship and enormous goodwill Senator Ekong Sampson is enjoying from Governor Umo Eno and urged him to remain resolute and unwavering in representing his constituents effectively.
The meeting was attended by present and past political office holders, party structures and critical stakeholders, including APC Senatorial District Chairman, Mr. Cyril Enemi.
