PDP campaign rally: Ekong Sampson relishes rich memories of old Ikot Abasi

Onomkpoinam Mkpat Enin and PDP Senatorial Candidate for Akwa Ibom South in next month’s National Assembly polls, Rt Hon.(Barr.) Ekong Sampson on Thursday at the PDP Campaign Rally in Ikot Abasi regaled the mammoth crowd with his oratorical insights into the rich history of the Local Government Area.

Dr. Sampson enjoyed part of his growing years in Ikot Abasi and has maintained firm relationship with the Council Area over time.

In the 2000s, he had served as Chief Legislative Aide/Special Assistant to Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, a son of Ikot Abasi and widely celebrated statesman in the country.  Barr. Sampson also authored ‘Law and Statesmanship: The Biography of Sir Udo Udoma’, a revered icon in the area, read worldwide.

Mounting the rostrum to deliver his remarks on behalf of candidates of the PDP presented with flags at the Ikot Abasi rally, Dr. Sampson said

‘Today, history has been made because the old Ukpikke has come alive’.

‘Ukpikke’ was the original name of old Ikot Abasi, when the area was part of the then Opobo division. Old Ikot Abasi was a once colonial haven, and attracted a good population of expatriates and tourists.

In fact, there still exist in present day Ikot Abasi, ‘The Amalgamation House’, where the document uniting protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria was signed in 1914. Such is the rich history of the renowned ALSCON town.

Sampson, who has gained reputation for his now usual historical insights at Campaign rallies, evoked sweet old memories of Ikot Abasi:

‘Today, the world has seen the greatness of the old and famous Ukpikke. Ikot Abasi is home of Lord Lugard, Sir Udo Udoma, Obong Ntuenibok and the rest of the greats’.

The former State Lawmaker continued:

‘Today, we can all see that the PDP has a stronghold in ‘Ukpikke’. Today, myself, Uduak Odudoh, fondly called ‘The ATM’, Selinah Ukpatu the ‘Double Barrel’, will join hands and partner with Ikot Abasi in-law, Pastor Umo Eno to bring meaningful development to the Ukpikke’.

The Eket Senate hopeful, assured of full support for the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, whom Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Emmanuel is Chairman of Campaign Council:

‘At the national, we will stand with Atiku Abubakar to attract even more development to Ikot Abasi Local Government.

We are most delighted that our dear Governor, Udom Emmanuel is the Chairman of the Atiku Presidential Campaign Council. Such exalted position has brought global prominence on our Governor – our leader and icon’.

He noted that PDP remained the only party that has solutions to the problems of Nigeria.

‘The country is on its knees – on its tailspin. PDP has risen to salvage this country. We are going to repackage history’, Sampson thundered to the cheering crowd.

Dr. Sampson rounded off his speech by appreciating leaders and stakeholders of the PDP in Ikot Abasi for holding the party firm in the area and to the teeming faithful, Dr. Sampson simply said ‘Na we be this’.