Political stakeholders from Ikot Abasi local government area, have rejected 60 bags of rice and three million naira Christmas gift from the Senator representing Eket Senatorial District, Ekong Sampson, describing the offer as demeaning and insulting.

Pronouncing the rejection on behalf of the stakeholders, during the 2025 end of the year celebration at his residence, Ikot Obong, Managing Director of HENSEK Integrated Engineering Services, the state’s major construction contractor and political leader of the area, Uwem Okoko said the gift was not commensurate with the massive support they gave him during the 2023 elections.

Others berated the senator for poor performance and near zero empowerment of the people of the area.

‘The people of Ikot Abasi local government area have rejected the 60 bags of rice and three million naira Christmas gift from Senator Ekong Sampson.

We are not hungry. Our Governor has given us 3,140 bags of rice, our local Government Chairman supported the Governor with 700 bags and thirty million naira ; Our Federal House Of Representatives Member gave us 360 bags, his counterpart in the State House of Assembly gave us 200 bags and others to celebrate the Christmas. These things are not given because we are hungry. They symbolize love, appreciation, respect and regards.

We are not diplomatic about this. We need a better representation in 2027 ” Okoko announced.

The member representing Ikot Abasi , Mkpat Enin and Eastern Obolo Federal Constituency in the Federal House of Representatives, Uduak Odudoh, Chairman, Ikot Abasi local government Area, Ime Williamson Essien, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political and Social Re-.Orientation, Kufre Udosen, former Commissioner, Federal Complaints Commission, Chelly Okoko, APC Chapter and ward officers, APC Chieftains, elders, women and youth groups were all present.

The Senator could not be reached as at time of filing this report, as he was not responding to several calls, but one of his aides, Victor Onomo disagreed with the allegations of poor representation, saying that the embattled Senator has performed creditably well.

‘Ekong Sampson has represented us well. Uwem Okoko, who sits on the State”s major construction projects should give back to the society, instead of resorting to ‘black politics”

Dismissing the allegations, he said the Sampson has facilitated a number of infrastructural projects including classroom blocks in Federal University of Technology, FUTIA, Ikot Abasi and has a number of Ikot Abasi students in his scholarship scheme. (BusinessDay)

Update news