As Nigeria marches towards deepening its democratic journey with the 2027 general election already on the horizon, the importance of experience, continuity, and legislative capacity in the nation’s National Assembly cannot be overstated.
The legislature plays a critical role in a democratic experience. It is not only the beacon upon which democratic institutions are hinged but also where they draw their legality and the people’s will. As such, the quality and content of the legislature are as good as the outplay of democratic governance.
In the legislature, one of the foremost gains of having a ranking lawmaker is the institutional leverage such experience confers. Ranking legislators possess an in-depth understanding of parliamentary procedures, committee systems, budgetary processes, and inter-legislative negotiations. These advantages translate directly into influence—a privilege that determines who chairs strategic committees, who shapes critical debates, and whose constituencies benefit most from federal presence.
In this regard, the imperative of returning Senator Ekong Sampson to the Senate as a ranking lawmaker is both strategic and consequential for the Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District. Returning Senator Sampson as a ranking Senator, among other benefits, means retaining a strong voice that commands respect and attention within the Senate.
The Akwa Ibom South Senator has been adjudged as a delight worth listening to, among his peers. He is well known for his depth and insightful perspectives on national issues. The focus and texture of Sampson’s legislative contributions and advocacy are pointedly targeted towards the representational, regional and national needs of the country.
He has sponsored Bills for the establishment of the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi; a bill for the establishment of a Federal Medical Centre in Akwa Ibom South; a bill for the establishment of Federal University of Medical Sciences, Eket; the Solid Minerals Development Corporation Establishment; and many other transgenerational interventions. He has been vocal for the revitalisation of ALSCON in Ikot Abasi and for the full takeoff of the University of Maritime Studies, Oron.
There is an array of legislative opportunities that accrue to a ranking lawmaker. With chamber seniority comes deeper access to leadership positions, greater participation in high-level policy formulation, and enhanced capacity to attract constituency projects and federal interventions.
Ranking senators are better positioned to lobby for quick passage of bills, influence national discourse, and protect regional interests during budget defence and appropriation processes. Senator Sampson’s continued presence in 2027 will ensure that Akwa Ibom South is not merely represented but effectively positioned at the centre of national legislative engagement.
However, beyond legislative seniority, Senator Ekong Sampson is also eminently favoured by both macro- and micro-zoning arrangements in Akwa Ibom South for 2027. His continuity will align smoothly with the prevailing equity framework within the district, reflecting fairness, balance, and inclusivity across local government areas, federal constituencies, and political blocs. This harmony further strengthens the moral and political justification for the 2027 re-election, as it promotes unity, time-tested power sharing and stability within the senatorial district.
Equally compelling is Senator Sampson’s performance record in the constituency, which has been widely acknowledged as remarkable. Senator Sampson has remained very focused on attracting life-changing interventions to the people of Akwa Ibom South, especially in the areas of education, healthcare, infrastructure and human capital development.
He has constructed ICT/computer-based test centres in selected schools across the senatorial district, a school block at the Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, and medical facilities at the Immanuel Hospital, Eket, General Hospital, Ikot Abasi, and General Hospital, Iquita, Oron. Just early this year, he disbursed 100 million naira as a grant to students in Akwa Ibom South to ease and support their educational pursuits.
The Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin has facilitated over 50 Federal Government employments, secured reinstatement for others, and gifted cars and tricycles to constituents and supporters. He has facilitated the construction of the Ikot Ekpe-Nung Ukim-Ikot Unya road in Mkpat Enin and other roads across the region, while opening up many rural access roads to farms and markets. He has projects well spread across every strand of Akwa Ibom South – a testament to his bridge-building disposition.
His legislative diligence, constituency engagement, and responsiveness to the needs of his people have earned him widespread endorsements and plaudits from political stakeholders, professional bodies, youth groups, and community leaders across party lines.
He has been endorsed for a second term by the highly influential and revered Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum headed by Chief Nduese Essien – a former Reps Member and Minister of Housing, the Forum of Former Elected Councillors in Akwa Ibom South, the Forum of Former APC Chairmanship Candidates in Akwa Ibom South, the Akwa Ibom South Democratic Coalition, the Akwa Ibom South Consultative Assembly, the Association of Eket Senatorial District Media Professionals, the Eket Senatorial District Students Forum, and the Nigerian Progressive Initiative, among others. This bipartisan goodwill is a testament to his capacity to rise above partisanship in service to the people.
In sum, returning Senator Ekong Sampson to the Senate is not merely about political continuity; it is about consolidating gains, expanding opportunities, and safeguarding the future interests of Akwa Ibom South. At a time when experience and strategic positioning matter more than ever, the district stands to gain immensely by retaining a tested, ranking lawmaker whose vision, performance, and pedigree remain beyond question.
