...H.R.M Akpan Akpan Ekpene says Ekong Sampson remains 'darling of Mkpat Enin royal fathers'; states why.

...M/Enin Clan Heads, youths, women, pledge full support for Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin

...Ekong Sampson says why M/Enin is rallying behind Umo Eno

By Samuel Udoma


The much celebrated relationship between former Commissioner for Environment and Petroleum Resources, Akwa Ibom State, Rt Hon.(Dr) Ekong Sampson and the traditional institution in Mkpat Enin was fully amplified yesterday evening when royal fathers in the Local Government Area in no mistaken language and in one accord endorsed Barr. Ekong Sampson for Eket Senatorial District race, 2023.

The Palace of the Paramount ruler of Mkpat Enin, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Akpan Akpan Ekpene in Ikot Eyienge was fully packed as all clan heads and village heads converged to offer royal blessings and endorsement for Dr Sampson's Senate bid as he came to consult them.

Dr Sampson has over the years enjoyed great rapport with the Mkpat Enin traditional institution. In 2004, the traditional institution had conferred on Dr Sampson, then their Council Chairman, with a unique traditional title of 'Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin', because of his good work in the local government area.

Dr Sampson also holds the traditional title of 'Eduek eyen Ukpum Minya',(Sampson's mother hails from Ukpum Minya clan, he from Ikpa Ikono). He is equally the Adaiso Ikpa Ikono.

Barr. Ekong Sampson right from his days as Council Chairman is known to have bought vehicles for traditional rulers in the area, increased their allowances and provided them with water facilities and other support items.

Very significantly Dr Sampson is well known in Mkpat Enin for his bridge building activities by providing projects well spread across all four clans of the local government. He spent all his four years as Chairman living in the local government area, connecting with the royal fathers and other segments of Mkpat Enin over the years.

Dr Sampson's facilitation of employment for many indigenes of Mkpat Enin both in the public and private sectors are equally well documented in the area. These, among others have earned him goodwill which created the buzz when he came to consult the royal fathers on his aspiration.

Addressing the royal fathers, Dr Sampson said he came to respectfully pay homage and inform them of his intention to represent Eket Senatorial District come 2023. He promised:

'By the grace of God, if I am elected into the Red Chamber, I will not change in my love and commitment towards the traditional institution of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. I will do even more.

He thanked the royal fathers profoundly for the love they have extended to him since his days as Council Chairman during which he lived among them in Mkpat Enin. Dr Sampson paid glowing tributes to his maternal uncle, the former Paramount Ruler of Mkpat Enin, HRM John Ufot Ibanga, Obong D.S. Udoinyang, Elder Joe Udobia, HRM Akpan Akpan Udo, Chief A.A. Inoh, Hon. Basil Essien, Chief Stephen Ikpim and other pathfinders who laboured for the birth and growth of Mkpat Enin.

He said he always draws his inspiration from their patriotic efforts in developing Mkpat Enin. Barr. Sampson said that in the Senate, he will initiate legislations that will give traditional institutions more powers and recognition which will help in the fight against insecurity in the country. He believes that if the traditional institution is given more powers, they can use that and help to strengthen the fabrics of our national unity.

There was intermittent thunderous applause when the moderator of the event, Hon. Nkereuwem James reeled out some of the projects initiated and completed by Barr. Ekong Sampson throughout the four clans and his routine welfare packages for Mkpat Enin people and the PDP.

Dr Sampson also took out time to explain to the royal fathers that Mkpat Enin stands to gain a lot from Pastor Umo Eno as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, with the guber hopeful being a son in law in Mkpat Enin and has good leadership qualities.

Other speakers including a former Chief Medical Director of the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Prof. Etete Peters, who led the delegation, Hon. Aniefiok Brown, former Vice Chairman of Ikot Abasi, Hon. Ufok Frank, former Leader of Council, Ikot Abasi and Joe Akpan, an aide to Governor Udom Emmanuel all lauded Dr Sampson's outstanding qualities and rich legislative experience and prayed the royal fathers to adopt him for the Senate race. Hon.Brown even stated unequivocally:

'We in Ikot Abasi have adopted him as our sole candidate because he has the right credentials to make a mark in the Senate for Eket Senatorial District'.

A prominent youth of the area and Chairman, Mkpat Enin Youth Caucus, Hon. Tony Evans pledged the full support of the youths for Dr Ekong Sampson. Last year, the youth strata of Mkpat Enin, comprising of mainstream youth groups had conferred on Dr Sampson, a lifetime achievement award. A Woman Leader, Eno Usoro said the women of Mkpat Enin are fully backing Barr. Sampson because 'he is one politician who is accessible to all no matter where you come from'.

Speaking also, the Peoples Democratic Party Ward Chair of Chairs in Mkpat Enin, Uwem Usoroh, leading a strong roll call of ward chairmen to the paramount ruler's palace said Ekong Sampson enjoys enormous goodwill among party faithful, assuring of their support.

In his response, the Paramount Ruler of Mkpat Enin, H.R.M Edidem Akpan Akpan Ekpene extolled Barr. Sampson for all the great things he has done for the Mkpat Enin royal institution, saying he has 'been a darling of the Mkpat Enin Royal Fathers.

He recalled how Barr. Sampson, then as Council Chairman raised the allowances and welfare packages of royal fathers in the area, provided some of them with vehicles, water facilities and other interventions. He said that Barr. Sampson raised even the allowances of town criers to make their job easier.

He said everybody in Mkpat Enin knows Dr Sampson helps all the clans. He thanked Barr. Sampson for organizing a grand coronation for one of his predecessors, HRM John Ufot Ibanga in 2004, which he said was a mark of respect for the traditional institution.

The Paramount Ruler said that Dr Sampson has the full and sincere blessings and endorsement of the royal fathers for his Senate 2023 ambition:

'You are the very best because you always have the interest of all Mkpat Enin at heart. We will support you and will always pray for you. As you get to the Senate, always remember Mkpat Enin, your home', the Akwa Enin V admonished.

A vote of thanks and special message of endorsement was offered by the Chairman, Conference of Village Heads, His Highness, Eteidung Sylvester Akpan-itiat.

High point of the evening was the offering of royal prayers and blessings, by each of the clan heads on Dr Sampson before a general prayer by the entire traditional institution and anointing of his head with the sacred elephant tusk, 'nnuk enin' by the Paramount Ruler, Edidem Akpan Akpan Ekpene.

Nice
BTW are kpurumiris tired of reporting me?