WHY I HAVE ENDORSED SEN. EKONG SAMPSON FOR SECOND TERM - ELDER BEN UDOBIA
By Imoh Essien (Uyo)
Respected statesman and one of the major stakeholders in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Elder Benjamin Udobia, has joined the league of other prominent stakeholders in the Senatorial District to endorse Senator Ekong Sampson, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals and Senator representing Akwa Ibom South in the National Assembly, for a second term.
Speaking on Monday, March 2, 2026, during an exclusive interview with some Journalists in his Uyo residence, Elder Udobia stated that the reason and why Senator Ekong Sampson should be return to the Senate will be an icing on the cake and will greatly leverage his status as a ranking Senator which will attract more projects and quality programs to the Senatorial District.
Elder Ben Udobia hinted that his decision to back Senator Ekong Sampson for second term was based on Sampson's superlative performance in the area of lawmaking, oversight, representation and the need to support effective representation in the Senatorial District and promote ranking in legislative business.
In January this year, major stakeholders from Akwa Ibom South had converged on Eket and stressed the need to return Senator Ekong Sampson to the Senate, to consolidate on the gains of legislative experience. The stakeholders said that Akwa Ibom South would gain more benefits for having a ranking Senator, who naturally enjoys more privileges in the Red Chambers and is given more opportunities.
The meeting was convened by the Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum led by Chief Nduese Essien - a former Minister of Housing and Chairman, South South Caucus in the House of Representatives. Motion endorsing Senator Sampson for a second term was moved by Dr. Emmanuel Ekuwem, former Secretary to the State Government and seconded by Hon. Owoidieghe Ekpoattai, a former member of the House of Reps.
Similarly, other groups like the Forum of former APC Local Government Chairmanship Aspirants in Akwa Ibom South, the Nigerian Progressive Initiative, the Forum of Former Elected Councillors, the Akwa Ibom South Consultative Assembly and several individuals have lent their support for Senator Sampson to return to the Senate.
According to Elder Benjamin Udobia, to make the desired impact in representation, it is not good for a Senator from Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District to go for just a single term. He said: "When you go to the National Assembly for one tenure, you might be lucky to be given a Committee Chairman. But if you go there for two terms or more, you become a more eligible candidate for the Senate's official positions and that enables you to do more in terms of quality of bills, projects, empowerment of constituents and result- oriented representation.
In addition to the aforementioned, a ranking Senator enjoys the benefit of experience, ability to attract projects to his constituency, and deeper relationship and knowledge of the workings of the legislature. I am saying this for the purpose of enlightening some of our people who erroneously believe that a single term Senator has something reasonable to offer. What Senator Ekong Sampson is currently doing in our Senatorial District deserves commendation. We will benefit more if we encourage and support Senator Ekong Sampson for a second term", he maintained.
Elder Udobia further recalled that Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency has had its first shot through the distinguished Senator Udoma Udo Udoma: "Because he did his best and stakeholders unanimously agreed that he must do a second term. Now it is the same Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency that the current Senator comes from.
From the quality of projects across the three federal constituencies to the facilitation of more than 50 employment in federal MDAs for his Constituents, the recent disbursement of 100 Million Naira Education Grant to 500 Students, empowerment of our youth in various skills acquisition programs, business grant to women, purchase and presentation of exotic cars to a good number of his constituents, I want to say that by my own personal assessment and that of majority of the stakeholders from our Senatorial District, Senator Ekong Sampson has done creditably well and therefore deserves a second term and we are solidly behind him."
Engr. Udobia maintained that after Ekong Sampson's second term in 2031, it will be the turn of Eket federal constituency to produce the next Senator: "That is the arrangement and no peace-loving stakeholder will attempt to truncate this arrangement that has brought peace, love and unity amongst the three federal constituencies within Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District."
Elder Udobia who is also the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Benest Technical Engineering Limited, also commended Governor Umo Eno for being a purposeful and goal-driven leader who has prioritized the growth and development of the State as well as championed unity through his inclusive leadership template.
He said: "His Excellency, Governor Umo Eno PhD, has justified the mandate given to him by the generality of Akwa Ibom people. He is doing very well in providing good governance for Akwa Ibom People. We appreciate what the governor is doing, not only in Akwa Ibom South (Eket )Senatorial District but across the entire State. There is no federal constituency he has not touched with development. I can assure you that, even if the governorship election in the State is to be held tomorrow, Governor Umo Eno will win 100 per cent."
