By Solomon OKPO | The Evangelist News Desk
The Afigh Iwaad Ekid, a prominent socio-cultural organisation in Akwa Ibom State, has declared its total support for Senator Ekong Sampson’s second-term ambition, insisting that the principle of senatorial rotation in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District must be respected ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The organisation made its position known when its President, Captain Willie Mbong, led members of the executive council on a solidarity visit to Senator Sampson, assuring the lawmaker of the group’s 100 per cent support and commitment to his political success.
Captain Mbong particularly commended the Senator’s efforts towards the proposed establishment of the Federal University of Medical Sciences in Eket, describing the initiative as a landmark intervention that would address the longstanding absence of a federal or state-owned tertiary institution in the area.
He noted that the proposed university would expand access to higher education, provide greater opportunities for young people and stimulate socio-economic development across Ekidland and its neighbouring communities. He therefore urged the Senator to sustain his commitment towards actualising the project.
Also speaking, the Vice President of the organisation, Dr. Preferred John, described Senator Sampson’s representation as effective and commendable, stressing that the established zoning arrangement in Akwa Ibom South must be respected in the interest of fairness, equity and political balance.
He maintained that senatorial rotation was sacrosanct, adding that the organisation’s endorsement of Sampson was informed by confidence in his leadership, performance and contributions to the development of the district.
Responding, Senator Ekong Sampson expressed gratitude to the leadership and members of Afigh Iwaad Ekid for their confidence and support, particularly their commitment to the principle of zoning and the understanding that it is the turn of Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency to produce the next senator for Akwa Ibom South.
Describing Afigh Iwaad Ekid as a respected socio-cultural institution, the Senator acknowledged its contributions to unity, peace and development, emphasising that collective commitment and cooperation remained essential ingredients for sustainable progress.
Senator Sampson used the occasion to highlight some of his constituency projects and interventions across the senatorial district, explaining that his development agenda was deliberately designed to ensure equitable distribution of democratic dividends across the constituent communities.
Among the projects he listed were doctors’ call rooms in Eket and Ikot Abasi, a CBT/ICT Centre at St. Francis Secondary School, Ikot Ataku, Eket, the electricity reactivation project in Okon Eket, construction of a facility at Cottage Hospital, Ibeno, and a Model Civic Centre at Ndon Uyo in Onna Local Government Area.
He also highlighted the provision of streetlights and at least four projects in Esit Eket Local Government Area as part of his efforts to spread development interventions across the district.
On human capital development, the lawmaker disclosed that he had facilitated employment for approximately 60 constituents, assuring that more employment opportunities would be extended to qualified people, particularly within Ekid communities.
He described employment as one of the most impactful forms of empowerment, noting that securing a job for an individual creates lasting benefits for the beneficiary, family and society.
The Senator further announced that another tranche of his empowerment programme would be rolled out next month, reaffirming his determination to expand opportunities, improve livelihoods and deliver more democratic dividends to the people.
He thanked the delegation for the visit and reiterated his commitment to inclusive representation, infrastructural development, human capital advancement and the overall progress of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.
