The Philosophical Depth and Strategic Undertone of Senator Ekong Sampson’s Realignment.
By Hon. Nkereuwem James
When Senator Ekong Sampson formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) through a letter read by the Senate President, His Excellency Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, many perceived it as another footnote in Nigeria’s ever-dynamic political playbook. But beneath the routine procedural façade lies a textured manuscript of political philosophy, strategic repositioning, and statesmanlike diplomacy.
At the heart of his letter is a simple yet profound assertion: “Politics is a game of interest, and if I may add, circumstance.” It is a concise but weighty exposition of political realism—where interest is not confined to self-preservation, but broadly conceived as the advancement of the people and their development aspirations. Circumstance, in this context, is not a convenient excuse, but a reflection of the evolving political landscape and the recalibration required to ensure continued access, representation, and relevance.
Unlike typical political exits, Senator Ekong’s tone is remarkably civil and conciliatory. He neither rages nor rebukes. Instead, he pens a letter suffused with gratitude and introspection. In his own words:
“I thank the Peoples Democratic Party for providing a power valve for me over the years to serve my people in Akwa Ibom State in several capacities. I will eternally recall my relationship with the Party and my humble contributions, within my own space, to its near apotheosis, before a set of complications precipitated its descent.”
These words are not political platitudes but a reverent tribute to a party he joined at inception and served with unbroken loyalty. His legacy within the PDP is far from symbolic; it is structural, literal, and grassroots-driven.
Senator Ekong’s contributions to the PDP are etched into the political architecture of Mkpat Enin Local Government. He purchased land and championed the construction of the PDP Secretariat—making the LGA among the first nationwide with a permanent Party edifice. As a legislator, he empowered all PDP Ward Chairmen with motorcycles, provided vehicles to some chapter officers, and secured lands for some loyal Party members. During his tenure as Council Chairman, he reclaimed Wards previously aligned with the then All Peoples Party (APP), ensuring PDP dominance. The result? PDP has not lost an election in the 14 INEC Wards of Mkpat Enin—the largest Ward bloc in Akwa Ibom State—since.
Even in transition, he has pledged to empower the PDP faithful, stating that many will benefit from his upcoming empowerment programmes as a token of his enduring gratitude. A former member of the PDP National Executive Council (NEC) and Chairman of the Akwa Ibom PDP National Assembly Caucus, his defection is not an act of betrayal—it is a reflection of principle navigating through political complexity.
His enduring connection to his people is a mark of his authenticity. As Chairman of Council, he lived among his people. Today, his projects span the four clans of Mkpat Enin, and his presence is constant—unbound by title or tenure. As a State Assemblyman, he earned the moniker “The Compendium” for his encyclopedic knowledge and intellectual rigour. As a State Commissioner, he launched the AKWA IBOM RURAL DEVELOPMENT MASTER PLAN and brought transformative energy to the Bureau of Political Affairs.
At the National Assembly, he remains a visible, vocal contributor. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Solid Minerals Development, he oversees a sector that is key to Nigeria’s economic diversification. His network spans the Presidency, the Senate leadership, and political heavyweights nationwide.
Senator Ekong’s letter underscores that his realignment is not a personal pursuit—it is a strategic repositioning of Akwa Ibom State. One of the most potent lines in his letter reads:
“In Akwa Ibom, the earth has moved.”
This statement, at once poetic and political, suggests tectonic political shifts. It signals to Abuja: Akwa Ibom is now closer to the centre, and the centre must respond. His message to the APC-led government is unmistakable—this is not a mere defection; it is an invitation for developmental reciprocation.
He articulates this clearly:
“With the convergence of principal political players in Akwa Ibom State on the APC platform, my people have high hopes of a commensurate reward system from the APC power matrix for my State, which, historically, has been rooted in another political leaning.”
This is a diplomatic but firm appeal for federal attention to long-standing regional priorities, including the Ibom Deep Seaport, the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) in Ikot Abasi, the University of Maritime Studies, Oron (UMSO), and other federal projects critical to economic revitalization.
By invoking terms such as “integration” and “development,” Senator Ekong’s reframes his movement not as political opportunism but as policy-driven alignment—laying the philosophical foundation for a new kind of federalism: reciprocal, inclusive, and performance-based.
His closing tone is one of statesmanlike optimism:
“Despite the switch, I look forward to working with my new Partymen and women in the All Progressives Congress and ,indeed, all well-meaning Nigerians in the pursuit of ideals that have always inspired my political odyssey within the bigger picture of humanism, constitutionalism and national interest.”
The timing and symbolism of the letter’s presentation by Senate President Akpabio—another illustrious Akwa Ibom son—is significant. It marks a reunion of influence, a convergence of interests, and a consolidation of regional relevance within the national matrix.
Ultimately, this letter is not just a defection—it is a declaration. It is a manifesto dressed in modest prose. It is a political sermon with philosophical subtext. And it is a call to action for Abuja to recognize Akwa Ibom’s new posture within the federal equation.
At a time when political moves are often dismissed as transactional, Senator Ekong Sampson’s realignment challenges that narrative. He reminds us that politics, at its noblest, is about service—and that strategic shifts, when underpinned by values and vision, can be instruments of empowerment, not ego.
If Nigeria must move forward, then the centre must listen; because, indeed, in Akwa Ibom, the earth has moved.
Hon. Nkereuwem James is the immediate past Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Mkpat Enin Chapter. He is the Executive Secretary / Convener of the Akwa Ibom South Democracy Coalition.He wrote in from Uyo,Akwa Ibom State, in South-South Nigeria.
