Senator Ekong Sampson Calls for Unity and Peaceful Coexistence in Akwa Ibom South

By Samuel Udoma

Senator Ekong Sampson, representing Akwa Ibom South in the National Assembly, has appealed to leaders and constituents across the Senatorial District to embrace unity, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence, amid recent exchanges among some ethnic groups in the area.

In a Press Statement titled _Unity, Not Division,_ which he personally signed, and issued earlier today, the top lawmaker expressed deep concern over the growing tensions, stressing that the diversity of Akwa Ibom South should remain a source of strength rather than division.

According to Senator Sampson, his philosophy of representation has consistently been anchored on building bridges across ethnic lines:

“In my elective representation, I have all along signposted our diversity as a unique bridge-building instrument, quite capable of being utilized to unite our people and pursue meaningful development for them regardless of tribe or place of origin,” the Statement read in parts.

Sampson, who chairs the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, further stated that Akwa Ibom South is abundantly blessed with both human and natural resources, warning that allowing ethnic disagreements to fester would only distract the people from harnessing their enormous potential.

“The Good Lord in His Divine benevolence has endowed our Senatorial District with distinctive and enormous resources—human and natural. We share threads. If we dissipate our energy pitted against one another, we will be inviting distractions and missed opportunities, instead of maximizing the advantage,” the message captured.

The Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin added that Akwa Ibom South should be “bonded by the beauty of our history, mutual respect and the rich tapestry of our abundance, and not burdened by the temper of divisive emotion.”

The Lawmaker urged restraint, while disclosing that he had commenced consultations with leaders and critical stakeholders across the Senatorial District in line with his longstanding commitment to dialogue and bridge-building:

“This is the message I earnestly preach as I begin to reach out to our leaders and groups over the recent exchanges, consistent with my well-known attitude to bridge-building and peaceful coexistence.”

Senator Sampson further called on the people of Akwa Ibom South to rally behind the leadership of the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, in the collective task of promoting unity and sustainable development of Akwa Ibom State.