Leaders and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress in Eket Senatorial District, also known as Akwa Ibom South, on Thursday unanimously endorsed Senator Ekong Sampson and other preferred candidates of the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was announced during a colourful rally held at the Eket City Hall, attended by party faithful, grassroots supporters and political stakeholders drawn from the twelve local government areas of the district.
Among those endorsed were President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno, Senator Ekong Sampson and other candidates on the APC’s preferred line-up for the 2027 polls.
Speaking at the rally, Political Leader of Eket Senatorial District, Assam Assam, commended stakeholders for embracing unity and political stability within the party. He described the emergence of the adopted candidates as the outcome of extensive consultations aimed at strengthening the APC across the district.
Goodwill messages were delivered by Chelly Okoko for Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency, Pat Ifon for Eket Federal Constituency, and Ikpoto Okon Osung for Oron Federal Constituency. They pledged support for Senator Sampson and other endorsed candidates, assuring party members of sustained mobilisation across the district.
Other speakers, including Uno Etim Uno, Mrs Idara Ephraim Akpan and Comrade Godswill Ekpenyong, also promised to mobilise women, youths and grassroots supporters in support of the party’s adopted candidates.
Former House of Representatives member for Ikot Abasi Federal Constituency, Francis Charles Uduyok, formally announced his withdrawal from the Eket Senate race and declared support for the party’s endorsed candidates.
Responding to the endorsement, Senator Sampson expressed appreciation to the people of the district for the confidence reposed in him. He assured party faithful that he would continue to provide effective representation and collaborate with other leaders in advancing the interests of the district.
The senator also commended Uduyok for what he described as political sportsmanship and referred to him as a longtime political associate.
In her remarks, Akwa Ibom State Deputy Governor Akon Eyakenyi described the gathering as a strong demonstration of unity and political maturity within Akwa Ibom South.
According to her, the prevailing harmony within the district would translate into greater political gains and improved representation for the people.
The highpoint of the rally was the formal presentation of the preferred aspirants by former Deputy Governor Nsima Ekere.
A motion endorsing the adopted aspirants was subsequently moved by former Speaker of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Bassey Essien, and seconded by former lawmaker Aboh Uduyok.
The motion was unanimously adopted by party members amid loud applause and jubilation.
By Ndifreke Bassey
