Ekong Sampson: 11 Reasons for a Senate Comeback

The United States offers a clear model of the presidential system Nigeria adopted. The U.S. Congress consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Nigeria mirrors this structure in Section 4 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), with a bicameral National Assembly comprising the Senate — 109 Senators in the Red Chamber — and the House of Representatives — 360 Members in the Green Chamber. Senators represent senatorial districts; Representatives serve federal constituencies.

Whether Nigeria needs two chambers performing overlapping functions at a time of lean resources is a debate for another day. But with over 30 million children out of school, widespread poverty, and malnutrition, the question of legislative duplication merits national review through a referendum.

In the United States, for instance, Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia holds the record as the longest-serving Senator: 51 years, 5 months, 26 days, from 1959 to 2010. Among sitting Senators as of early 2026, Chuck Grassley of Iowa has the longest tenure, serving since January 3, 1981.

Other U.S. Senate records: Daniel K. Inouye, 49 years, 299 days; Patrick Leahy, 48 years, 350 days. The overall longest-serving member of Congress was Representative John Dingell, with over 59 years in the House.

Byrd’s career evolved from early membership in the Ku Klux Klan — which he later called “the greatest mistake I ever made” — to becoming a defender of the Senate as an institution. His achievements include: casting a record 18,000th vote in 2007; serving over 56 combined years in Congress by 2009; chairing the Senate Appropriations Committee and directing federal investment to West Virginia; authoring a four-volume history of the U.S. Senate; creating the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program; and opposing unchecked executive power, including the 2003 Iraq War. As Senate Majority Leader, 1977–1981 and 1987–1989, he steered landmark legislation such as the Panama Canal treaties of 1978.

In Nigeria, Senator David Mark remains the longest-serving Senator, representing Benue South for 20 uninterrupted years, 1999–2019. He was Senate President from 2007 to 2015. A former PDP stalwart, he is now National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

Other ranking federal lawmakers include Senator Ahmad Lawan of Yobe, who served in the House from 1999–2007 and in the Senate from 2007 to date — a continuous 27-year run in the National Assembly by 2026. Senator Lawan is the immediate past Senate President. Senator Ali Ndume of Borno entered the House in 2003 and moved to the Senate in 2011, giving him over 20 years in the National Assembly by 2026.

1. Seniority equals leverage: Ranking Senators get committee chairmanships, set agendas, and better protect state interests through alliances with colleagues.

2. Continuity completes project:. Re-election will allow Senator Sampson to finish ongoing infrastructures across the 12 LGAs of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District.

3. Track record of impact: His transformation of Excellence College, Ikot Unya, Mkpat Enin into a model school reflects his focus on programmes with lasting educational, economic, and social values.

4. Experience passes bills: Studies show senior legislators are more effective at moving legislation through committees and securing benefits for their constituents.

5. Policy depth matters: Long-serving lawmakers master complex areas like fiscal policy, education, and health, and understand the rules that make or break bills.

6. Leadership comes with time: Key positions are based on seniority. They determine what gets debated and funded.

7. Relationships deliver results: Extended tenure builds trust with colleagues, MDAs, and development partners — the currency for coalition-building.

8. Long view over short politics: Less pressure from immediate re-election cycles allows focus on long-term solutions, not just quick wins.

9. Stronger oversight: Experienced legislators with seasoned staff better monitor executive agencies and enforce financial discipline.

10. Incumbency advantage: Name recognition, donor networks, and a record of delivery make subsequent elections easier — and stability benefits the district.

11. Support for a United and Progressive Akwa Ibom State: The return of Senator Sampson to the Senate in 2027 will empower him to continue his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR), the Senate President Distinguished Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio (GCON), Governor Pastor Umo Bassey Eno and all other APC candidates in the forthcoming general elections as well as in the Arise and Renewed Hope Initiative for a better Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, Akwa Ibom State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

1999–2007: Udoma Udo Udoma, PDP

2007–2011: Eme Ufot Ekaette, PDP

2011–2015: Helen Esuene, PDP

2015–2019: Nelson Effiong, APC/PDP

2019–2023: Akon Eyakenyi, PDP

2023–date: Ekong Sampson, APC.

This list shows what Akwa Ibom South has lost for over 20 years: ranking status in the Senate since Senator Udoma Udo Udoma who served for two terms and did marvelously well by leaving behind lasting legacies across board. The issue is not lack of capacity in serving Senators from the district but rather lack of political focus, trust, confidence in their representatives to continue serving their term and self-interest. Senator Sampson has the capacity to continue serving. He needs our collective mandate.

It is common knowledge that when the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable. The legislative arm of government is primarily for law making. Therefore, it is very important that our representatives at the Senate or any other legislative arm of government be knowledgeable in law and may be practice so as to act and serve effectively as a legislator; other professionals could be added to the fold since various interests of the public will be deliberated on.

Senator Sampson holds a doctorate degree at law and looking at his antecedents as a former Legislative aide to Distinguished Senator Udoma Udo Udoma, a Councilor, local government Chairman, Member of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, Commissioner, and now Senator, he has a track record as a grassroot politician who is undeniably qualified, experienced and competent to continue representing the good people of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District in the Senate of the National Assembly in 2027 and beyond.

Frankly, Senator Sampson in just three years has successfully sponsored and co-sponsored over six bills of which some have been passed into law; sponsored over six motions, eight petitions, facilitated several Federal Government employments for his constituents, donated N100,000,000 in December, 2025 as grants and scholarships to the sons and daughters of the senatorial district, done several phases of empowerments, executed and still executing development projects across the 12 local government areas of the district and advocated the establishment of South South Development Commission.

He is still advocating for the resuscitation and revitalisation of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON), and Ibom Deep Seaport, among others, so that upon the coming into live of these establishments more job opportunities will be open and available for Ibom South Constituents, Akwa Ibomites and Nigerians at large.

Senator Ekong is an advocate for the provision of social amenities and also always working and collaborating with critical stakeholders across the sectors in ensuring quality education and provision of critical infrastructures for the Nigerian populace.

It is a common parlance that one good turn deserves another. Therefore, it behooves on us to support the second term ambition of Senator Ekong Sampson as of necessity.

Sending a newcomer in 2027 means excavating the soil to lay a fresh foundation while other districts celebrate ranking positions and the benefits that follow. We would, again, be deprived by our own choices.

Now that we know better, I call on all sons and daughters of Akwa Ibom South and indeed, all well meaning Akwa Ibomites to support Senator Ekong Sampson’s second-term bid — for our general good.

Emmanuel, Esq, an indigene of Ikot Abasi Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, is a Legal Practitioner & International Development Expert