By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist News Desk
ORON, Political stakeholders in Oron Federal Constituency, including All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chapter chairmen and members of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, have endorsed Senator Ekong Sampson for a second term in the Senate ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing his legislative performance and empowerment initiatives.
The endorsement, announced by Elder Uwe Akan, Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Oron Chapter, followed an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting involving youth and women groups, APC ward chairmen and grassroots mobilisers across Oron Local Government Area. The stakeholders also endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, House of Representatives member Martins Esin, Oron State Constituency representative Kenim Onofiok, Bassey Pius Bassey, Precious Selong and Okon Bassey for their respective political positions.
Akan said the endorsement of Senator Sampson was based on what he described as measurable achievements in representation, empowerment and legislative interventions. He cited reported business grants exceeding ₦500 million for women and youths, educational assistance of ₦100 million to 500 students, ₦10 million in special support for law students, facilitation of more than 60 federal employment opportunities and the distribution of vehicles, minibuses and tricycles to constituents. He also highlighted the senator’s sponsorship of bills seeking to establish the Federal University of Maritime Studies in Oron, the Federal University of Technology in Ikot Abasi and the Federal Medical Centre in Eket.
The Renewed Hope Ambassadors coordinator also defended the policies of President Tinubu’s administration, arguing that the Renewed Hope Agenda should be given more time to deliver its long-term objectives.
He commended Governor Eno’s ARISE Agenda, particularly in road infrastructure, maritime development, human capital development and the payment of salaries and gratuities, while pointing to the ongoing Maritime Hub as an important development initiative for the area.
Akan, however, warned against attempts to alter the established senatorial zoning arrangement in Akwa Ibom South, insisting that equity, continuity and political stability should guide the selection of candidates. He argued that Oron Federal Constituency had completed its eight-year tenure in the Senate and maintained that the senatorial seat should remain with Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency under the existing arrangement.
In a related development, PDP stalwarts, including chapter chairmen from Oron Federal Constituency, reportedly endorsed Senator Sampson at a strategic meeting held at the weekend.
They maintained that the 2027 senatorial seat was zoned to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency and commended the senator’s performance in the National Assembly. The meeting was attended by former Oron Local Government Chairman Victor Ini Okon, Governor Umo Eno’s Personal Assistant, Godwin Onwiebiak, Oron Ward 10 Councillor Daniel Massodi, Bassey Umo, Works Supervisor Victor Andy, APC ward chairmen, Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ ward coordinators, women and youth leaders, among other stakeholders.
The groups said they had begun grassroots mobilisation, including ward-to-ward and door-to-door campaigns, to secure victory for their preferred candidates in 2027. However, the endorsements represent the positions of the participating stakeholders and do not, on their own, establish the final decisions of the political parties or guarantee electoral outcomes.
The claims concerning project delivery, empowerment figures and the zoning arrangement would require independent verification and consideration of the relevant parties’ official positions.
