By Solomon OKPO
Mkpat Enin Stakeholders Close Ranks with Eket Senatorial Elders on Sampson’s Second-Term Bid
A strong political alignment within Akwa Ibom South continued to gather momentum on Tuesday as stakeholders from Mkpat Enin Local Government Area formally presented Senator Ekong Sampson to the Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum, reaffirming their support for his re-election to the Senate in 2027.
The delegation, under the auspices of the Mkpat Enin Elders Forum, made the presentation during a visit to the elders’ body in Eket, a move widely interpreted as a consolidation of political consensus across the senatorial district.
The forum, led by former Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien, had earlier endorsed Senator Sampson for a second term. The Mkpat Enin leaders commended the elders for what they described as their foresight, courage and statesmanship in backing the lawmaker.
The presentation followed an enlarged meeting of Mkpat Enin stakeholders held in Uyo on Tuesday, where the leaders unanimously adopted Senator Sampson, popularly known as the “Onomkpoinam of Mkpat Enin,” as their preferred candidate for the 2027 Senate race.
Chairman of the Mkpat Enin Elders Forum, Obong Dr. Sydney Udofot, who was represented by the Secretary of the forum, Rev. Obot Ekanem, said the visit was meant to formally align Mkpat Enin with the political direction already charted by the Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum.
According to him, the decision reflects the resolve of Mkpat Enin leaders to stand with the collective wisdom of the district’s political leadership, which had earlier thrown its weight behind Sampson during a meeting held in Eket in December last year.
Beyond the senatorial race, the forum also reaffirmed its political support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the continued leadership of Governor Umo Eno in Akwa Ibom State. It equally expressed solidarity with the President of the Senate, Chief Godswill Akpabio.
Receiving the delegation, Chief Essien expressed satisfaction with the calibre of leaders that formed the Mkpat Enin delegation and commended the renewed level of organisation and unity among political stakeholders in the area.
He noted that the participation of respected personalities in the political process signaled a more coordinated and purposeful approach to leadership in Mkpat Enin.
Chief Essien also highlighted Senator Sampson’s extensive experience in governance and legislative affairs, recalling his previous roles as a Principal Legislative Aide to former Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, Executive Chairman of a local government council, member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and later Commissioner in the state executive council.
According to the elder statesman, such a broad spectrum of experience has equipped the senator with the administrative and legislative competence required to effectively represent the people at the National Assembly.
He further assessed Sampson’s performance in the Senate as commendable, noting that the lawmaker has demonstrated effectiveness in the areas of legislation, oversight and constituency representation.
Essien stressed that Eket Senatorial District must sustain effective representation at the National Assembly, recalling that the district had benefited significantly from experienced lawmakers in the past.
Drawing from his own experience in public office, he added that many of his notable achievements were realised during his second term in office, underscoring the value of continuity in legislative representation.
Also speaking, former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Deaconess Owoidhoho Ekpoattai, emphasised the strategic advantage of having a ranking senator, urging political leaders and stakeholders to sustain their support for Sampson’s re-election.
The visit further strengthened the growing wave of endorsements trailing the senator’s second-term bid as political leaders across Eket Senatorial District continue to rally support for his return to the Senate.
Several prominent elders were present to receive the delegation alongside Chief Essien, including Elder Dr. Ime Ekpoattai, Chief C.H. Isong, Prof. Peter Esuh, Chief Jack Udota, Sir Michael Essang, Prince Bassey Itama and Hon. Emmanuel Amos.
Members of the Mkpat Enin delegation included Hon. Aniekpon Ekpo, Rt. Hon. Otobong Ndem, Elder Emmanuel Oton, Prof. Etete Peters, Prof. Uduak Okon, Prof. (Monsignor) S.I. Udoidem, Dr. Imowo Udobia, Obong Prince Essien Ekpo, Chief Alex Jimmy, Hon. Aniedie Ekanem and Hon. Nkereuwem James, among other stakeholders.
The Evangelist News
