When Akwa Ibom Elders Charted Course For Unity At Senator Sampson’s Reception

By Samuel Udoma

On Tuesday, June 13, 2023, Senator Ekong Sampson, alongside 108 others, was inaugurated into the 10th Nigerian Senate. Dr. Sampson, a National Assembly old boy, was back on familiar terrain, to pursue robust legislation and effective oversight.

It was clearly a day to remember. Abuja, the nation’s capital was heavy and festive. Akwa Ibom South, and by extension, Akwa Ibom State was visible in the FCT. Senator Sampson, spotting a finely tailored white native ‘etibó’, a corresponding black trousers and that famous Victor Attah Ibibio hat, with a matching pair of shoes, stood out among the agbadas.

A reception ceremony held later at the Bolton White Events & Apartments, Wuse 7, encapsulated the spirit of Akwa Ibom unity and new partnership for progress. Firstly, it was a joint reception where Senator Sampson paired with Hon. Martins Esin, Member representing Oron Federal Constituency, whom he has described as his brother and friend. It turned out a night of tributes for both legislators.

Secondly, the admix of personalities in the hall knew no party lines or affiliations. While Dr. Sampson was elected on the platform of the PDP, top APC and other party chieftains including former NDDC Managing Director, Obong Nsima Ekere, former Sole Administrator, Barr. Effiong Akwa, former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet, graced the reception.

As typical of Senator Sampson’s gatherings, the reception was not just for merriments and fanfare, it was rich in content. Seated within the tastily decorated hall were eminent professors, technocrats, scholars, captains of industries, representatives from the organized private sector and sociopolitical organizations.

Hon. Justice Joe Acha, immediate Past Chief Judge of Edo State and Senator Sampson’s longterm friend flew in all the way from Benin City to be part of the distinguished converge. A chartered flight from the Victor Attah International Airport had earlier conveyed into Abuja, some of Senator Sampson’s guests from Akwa Ibom. The former Mkpat Enin Council helmsman’s kith and kin from all over Nigeria were also in good numbers in the hall, some arrived with buses from Uyo.

At the reception, Akwa Ibom Unity took centre stage. Speakers after speakers offered insights towards fostering the unity of the state and maximizing her rich potentials. Senator Ekong Sampson in his speech stressed ‘we can only maximize the advantage of our rich mix – the Oro, Obolo, Ekid, Ibibio, when the right bridges are built to accommodate the pluralistic and diverse nature of the senatorial district’. He said that his mission was to unite the different strands in Akwa Ibom South and ‘tell our fuller stories on the floor of the Senate’ and of course, protect the general interest of Akwa Ibom State.

The Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin harped on a “handshake across borders” to deepen unity. Senator Sampson revealed in his speech that he had reconciled with all his erstwhile opponents, from the party primaries to the general elections and that all of them have promised to support him with necessary input to help him give the senatorial district, optimal legislative performance representation.

Noteworthy too, is the fact that earlier same day, Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, on hearing of the election of Senator Godswill Akpabio as President of the 10th Senate, had touched down Abuja to congratulate the former Minister of Nigeria Delta Affairs as well as the other national legislators of the state extraction. Umo Eno’s visit to Akpabio has so far received widespread praise, with many lauding it as display of political maturity, spirit of unity and putting the interest of Akwa Ibom first.

At the reception, Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Her Excellency Sen.(Dr.) Akon Eyakenyi hailed the qualities of Senator Ekong Sampson, describing him as a worthy successor. Sen. Eyakenyi called on the State’s National Assembly contingents to continually work together for the common good and interest of Akwa Ibom State.

In his advice to Dr. Sampson, former Minister of Budget and National Planning, Senator Udoma exhorted: ‘You must be seen as someone reliable and dependable. You have to be seen as a nationalist who, whilst naturally concerned about the problems of your state, also has empathy for the causes and issues that are of concern to your colleagues. Without earning the respect of your colleagues, you cannot go far in the Senate. In short, to succeed in the Senate you must broaden your national network without losing touch with your home base’. Sampson was Chief Legislative Aide to Senator Udoma in the early 2000s.

On his part, former Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission, Obong Nsima Ekere said that Senator Sampson’s reception had offered him opportunity to meet people across political divides, whom he had not met for many years. Ekere, a former Deputy Governor of the state, was the Governorship candidate of the APC in the 2019 general elections.

Some of the other dignitaries who spoke at the occasion including former Secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Government, Engr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Don Etiebet, former House of Reps Member and Rt Hon. Esio Oquong Udoh harped on unity of the state for common progress.

The reception had in attendance, Director-General of the Ekong Sampson Campaign Organization, Sir Michael Essang and members of the Campaign Council, a number of House of Assembly Members, Chairmen of Councils, Deputy Leader of the Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum, Sir Obot Etukafia, President General of Oron Union, Bishop Etim Ante, representatives of the Ekid People’s Union, royal fathers, classmates and former colleagues of the Senator, among a rich array.

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