Ex-minister endorses senator’s second-term bid

A former Minister of Lands and City Growth, Chief Nduese Essien, has endorsed Senator Ekong Sampson’s bid for a second time period, saying there is no such thing as a room for newcomers within the Nationwide Meeting.

Essien spoke when the Mkpat Enin Elders/Stakeholders Discussion board, which is championing Sampson’s re-election, paid him a courtesy go to at his residence in Eket on Thursday, in response to an announcement obtained from the previous minister’s WhatsApp media platform on Friday.

Sampson, who represents Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, is searching for re-election in 2027. His aspiration is being challenged by a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Growth Fee and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Nsima Ekere, who has additionally indicated curiosity within the senatorial seat.

Essien mentioned Sampson possesses in depth expertise in governance and legislative affairs, having served as Principal legislative aide to former Senator Udoma Udoma, Government Chairman of a neighborhood authorities council, member of the Akwa Ibom State Home of Meeting, and later as a commissioner within the state government council.

“Such a broad spectrum of expertise has geared up the senator with the executive and legislative competence required to proceed efficient illustration of the folks on the Nationwide Meeting,” he mentioned.

Essien, who additionally serves as Chairman of the Eket Senatorial District Elders Discussion board, harassed the necessity for continuity for legislators performing effectively within the Nationwide Meeting, significantly within the Senate. He maintained that have and rating are essential issues in electing a senator, given the large duties of the workplace.

The previous two-term member of the Home of Representatives (1999–2007) mentioned Eket Senatorial District should maintain efficient illustration on the Nationwide Meeting, noting that the district had benefited considerably from skilled and rating lawmakers up to now.

Drawing from his personal expertise in public workplace, Essien mentioned a lot of his notable achievements have been realised throughout his second time period.

“The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has, up to now 27 years, developed into a robust establishment the place rating senators wield appreciable affect on Senate selections and the operating of the nation. It might be inexpedient for any constituency to ship a freshman or a ‘good boy from dwelling’ to characterize them within the Nigerian Senate,” he mentioned.

He recommended the visiting stakeholders for his or her help for the incumbent senator.

“The transfer you’ve made in the present day could be very well timed to scuttle any try and take our senatorial district again to the period of single-term illustration within the Senate.

“The primary two or three years within the legislature are at all times a studying course of for recent members who arrive on the Nationwide Meeting as political neophytes to be taught the rudiments of the sport. For us, there is no such thing as a extra room for learners within the Nationwide Meeting,” Essien added.

He additionally mentioned the following step can be to convene a gathering of the Senatorial District Elders to formally endorse Sampson’s return to the Senate.

“We will additionally enchantment to all political events fielding candidates for the Senate in Eket Senatorial District to undertake Senator Ekong Sampson within the curiosity of the district,” he mentioned.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Mkpat Enin Elders/Stakeholders Discussion board, Obong Dr Sydney Udofot, represented by the discussion board’s secretary, Rev. Obot Ekanem, mentioned the group had resolved that Sampson ought to return to the Senate in 2027 “for higher illustration and larger affect within the senatorial district.”