MEDIA PROFESSIONALS BACK AKWA IBOM SOUTH (EKET )!SENATORIAL DISTRICT STAKEHOLDERS' POSITION TO HAVE SENATOR EKONG SAMPSON IN SENATE BEYOND 2027

 

A foremost umbrella Media Advocacy Group in Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial District , with a mandate to promote transparency, accountability and impact in governance, the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, has thrown its weight behind the collective position of Stakeholders of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District , during Stakeholders Meeting on December 30, 2025 at Villa Marina, Eket to adhere to zoning, promote performance, encourage ranking and ensure Senator Ekong Sampson, Senator representing Akwa Ibom South(Eket )Senatorial District in the National Assembly , remains in the Senate beyond 2027.

The Chairman, Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, Elder Edet Okpo ,PhD, dropped the hint today while interfacing with a cross section of Newspaper publishers and online bloggers at NUJ Press Center, Information Drive, Uyo 

According to Dr. Edet Okpo, the convergence of voices—from political leaders and party stakeholders to youth groups, women, traditional rulers and community leaders—signals not merely routine political support, but a unanimous endorsement rooted in quality and result - oriented representation, reflection of superlative performance , experience in legislative business, unblemished record of dedicated public Service and unquestionable democratic credentials of distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson, PhD 

While thanking the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator (Dr. ) Akon Eyakenyi, the Chairman of Eket Senatorial District Stakeholders' Forum and former Member of the National Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chief Nduese Essien, Rt. Hon. Patrick Ifong, Sir. Barr. Bassey Dan Abia, Arc Otu Ita Toyo, Rt. Hon. Chief Peter Linus Umoh, Rt. Hon. Owoedighe Ekpotai, Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, Hon . Otobong Ndem, Hon . Sir Adasi Obulom and other leaders and Stakeholders of Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial District for their decision to jettison the culture of single-term representation, replacement option but rather promoting legislative ranking through proven performance, the Chairman of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, described the decision as a worthwhile initiative that will further engender development, strengthen the prevailing unity, fraternal love and brotherhood between the three federal constituencies within the Senatorial District.

Speaking On the effects of the new Electoral Act on the Senators and other members of the National Assembly seeking re-election, Dr. Okpo noted that under the provisions of the new Electoral law, whether through direct primaries or consensus arrangements within the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Sampson remains strategically positioned, given his grassroots acceptability and institutional support.

A key argument advanced by Dr. Edet Okpo is that a ranking Senator possesses deeper legislative experience, enjoys broader institutional leverage, and wields greater influence in advancing constituency interests.

He emphasized that In Nigeria’s legislative system, ranking translates into bargaining power, committee influence, and accelerated project facilitation, adding that Continuity, therefore, becomes a strategic advantage for the Senator representing Akwa Ibom South( Eket) Senatorial District. 

Expressing the position of the leadership and Members of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, Dr. Edet Okpo further maintained that Akwa Ibom South (Eket)Senatorial district cannot afford to interrupt the momentum of a legislator who has combined policy depth, oversight mastery, and constituency responsiveness.

" Let me inform the public that it is evidential, by measurable parameters that legislative productivity, project facilitation, educational investment, institutional advocacy, and stakeholder confidence, suggest that the call for the return of distinguished Senator Ekong Sampson,PhD, in 2027 is less about political sentiment and more about strategic continuity. 

For many in Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District, encouraging Senator Ekong Sampson to stay beyond 2027 in the Senate is not a reward for loyalty; it is a decision to consolidate gains, strengthen ranking advantage, and sustain a representation widely regarded as focused, impactful, and development-driven

Answering questions on the achievements of the Senator in the last two and the half years to justify the second term endorsement, Dr. Edet Okpo disclosed that Senator Ekong Sampson has prioritised Education, infrastructure, health, human empowerment and capacity building as key drivers of his Constituency projects. 

He listed the recent disbursement of 100 Million Naira Education Grant to 500 indigent students and 25 teachers, Purchase and distribution of more than 20 exotic Cars, tricycles to his Constituents and a Hiace Bus to traditional rulers, facilitation of 55 employment in federal MDAs and about 80 in corporate and Private establishment for his Constituents, disbursement of ₦500 million business grant to about 1500 Constituents to boost Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises; 5 Million Naira Education Support to Students Of Okobo Local Government through Okobo Development Union, training of youth and Journalists on various 

skills and vocations, sponsorship of 50 Students in various tertiary institutions in Nigeria on Scholarship, spread of various life- projects such as medical facilities, road construction, classroom / Halls/ CBT blocks, Solar- powered Water projects / Solar Street lighting, erosion control and electrification projects across the 12 local government areas of Akwa Ibom South (Eket) Senatorial District.

In the aspect of lawmaking, Dr. Okpo said Senator Ekong Sampson has Sponsored and co-sponsored critical bills such as:

The Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi Bill (awaiting third reading and passage);

Federal Medical Centres Amendment Bill (passed into law);

the Federal Medical Centre, Eket Bill ( recently passed into law);

the South-South Development Commission Bill (co-sponsored and passed into law);

Strong advocacy for speedy take-off of the Federal University of Maritime Studies, Oron.

He added that beyond legislative drafting, Senator Ekong Sampson has consistently raised issues bothering on infrastructure renewal, strategic investment in Education, maritime and coastal economy, environmental sustainability, youth empowerment, industrial development, and the reactivation of ALSCON in Ikot Abasi.

Responding Onbehalf of other Journalists, former State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council and Editor -in- Chief of Watchman Post Newspaper, Dr. Sunday Antai and the Publisher of Evangelist Newspaper, Comrade Solomon Okpo commended Senator Ekong Sampson for raising the bar of legislative engagement and representation in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, stressing that as a Professional Journalist, sound lawyer, author of many books, politician and public servant of note, Senator Ekong Sampson has what it takes to give Akwa Ibom South ( Eket) Senatorial District, a top-notch representation in the red chamber of the National Assembly.