...thanks Gov Udom, Akwa Ibom South Stakeholders, PDP, Statutory Delegates


By Samuel Udoma

In the aftermath of a successful consultation to all PDP Chapters and Statutory Delegates in Eket Senatorial District, the Ekong Sampson Campaign Organization has spotlighted its agenda for the people of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District. Barr. Ekong Sampson, a two term former Member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has emerged as the leading aspirant and overwhelming favourite to clinch the PDP ticket for the Eket Senate seat.

The Campaign Organization has thanked Gov Udom Emmanuel for providing the enabling environment for the PDP to thrive in Akwa Ibom State. The organization has also appreciated Eket Senatorial District Stakeholders, PDP Chapter Officers and Statutory Delegates, Elders, Women and youths of the area for the warm reception accorded the campaign train when it berthed at the different Local Government Areas for the just concluded consultations.

In a Release made available to the public and signed by the Director-General of the Ekong Sampson Campaign Organization, Sir Michael Essang, the group said the consultation tours really revealed the substance that makes Ekong Sampson tick and well loved across a broad strata of the Senatorial District. Sir Michael Essang is a former Deputy State Chairman of the PDP in Akwa Ibom State. His Campaign train for Barr. Ekong Sampson comprises well known, experienced politicians. Essang is from Mbo.

The Statement in parts, identified Barr. Sampson's bridge building disposition, unwavering support and empowerment of the PDP and life touching projects and interventions as all counting in his favour - all of which have formed the major plank of his campaign agenda.

The Statement also identified Barr. Sampson's background as a trained lawyer and immediate past Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Petroleum Resources in the State as aspects which have made him very familiar with how to manage the complexities of oil politics, which has been identified as 'a crucial issue' in the oil rich senatorial district.

Equally, Barr. Sampson's bridge building philosophy, the statement stresses, is an attractive point to help unite the divergent interests of the senatorial district. According to Sir Essang, Barr. Sampson understands 'our pluralities and has adopted a bridge building plank to unite the senatorial district and encourage access to opportunity'. The PDP bigwig said Dr Sampson as 'a known team player, highly detribalized', who despite his achievements, has remained simple, accessible and trustworthy.

The Campaign DG said Barr. Sampson's excellent attributes and well defined agenda formed part of the reasons why the Leader of Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum, Rt Hon.(Chief) Nduese Essien described Sampson as 'a highly marketable Senate material', an opinion strongly shared by other leaders like HE, Senator Helen Esuene, HE(Amb.) Etim Okpoyo, Sir Obot Etukafia, Rtd AIG Asuquo Amba, among others.

Sir Essang eulogized Gov Udom Emmanuel for his excellent leadership of the PDP which has made the party to thrive in the state. He also praised elders of the senatorial district for their wisdom and respect for zoning arrangement.

The message of appreciation read in parts:

"Leaders of Eket Senatorial District, consistent with our revered rotation, have zoned the Senate seat to Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency. In Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency itself, there is a credible and unassailable power sharing arrangement in which the Senate seat goes to Mkpat Enin, Ikot Abasi takes House of Reps, while the State Assembly seat returns to Eastern Obolo", he said.

The Statement further paid tribute to Dr Sampson's numerous life touching interventions, most especially, as witnessed in his native Mkpat Enin:

'Dr Ekong Sampson comes from Mkpat Enin, where he commands a huge political following, because of his exemplary bridge building lifestyle, grassroots connections and massive support for the PDP. Indeed, in Mkpat Enin, our Campaign Organization saw a beautiful edifice - The PDP Secretariat, built and wholly owned by the PDP in the Local Government Area, one of the very few anywhere in Nigeria. It was heartwarming to be told that Barr. Ekong Sampson, when he was in the State House of Assembly, initiated the idea, bought land and spearheaded the construction of the PDP Secretariat in Mkpat Enin. Party members also spoke glowingly of Barr. Sampson's generosity, accessibility and facilitation of job opportunities for party faithfuls in both the private and public sectors.

"We saw a great Secondary School which Barr. Ekong Sampson established and made tuition free for students through his vision and benevolence. Excellence College in Mkpat Enin is now one of the best rated schools in the area - coming with a library, lab, computers, electricity, water and other facilities donated by the founder, Barr. Ekong Sampson, and recording 100% success in WAEC exams. A lot have benefitted from his consistent, usually quiet philanthropy through the Ekong Sampson Empowerment Program,(ESEP) over the years. These include vehicles and even houses', the message recounted.

Sir Essang, on behalf of the Campaign Organization said, Barr Ekong Sampson possessed high intellectual prowess and experience in Legislative Affairs which stand him out.

'Our Principal's intellectual prowess is unsurprising. In his earlier years, Barr. Sampson did his legal practice in Benin and Lagos, before he moved over to the Senate to serve as Chief Legislative Assistant to the famous Senator Udoma Udo Udoma in the National Assembly.

From the Senate, he served twice as Chairman of Council in Mkpat Enin; Member, Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for eight years and later as Honourable Commissioner in the State Exco in a number of Ministries, his last posting being Ministry of Environment and Petroleum Resources'.

'While in the State Exco, Dr Sampson also served at some point as Political Adviser to Gov. Udom Emmanuel, in a service period rated as one of the brightest and most creative in the State Bureau of Political Affairs.

Dr Sampson holds a Masters Degree in Law from the University of Lagos and a Doctorate Degree in Law from the University of Calabar. A trained journalist, writer, publisher, he is a pillar of many intellectual bodies.

The PDP National Assembly Primaries holds next month and Dr Sampson has been widely tipped to clinch the Akwa Ibom South ticket.

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