A former Minister of Lands and Urban Development, Chief Nduese Essien, has endorsed Senator Ekong Sampson’s bid for a second term, saying there is no room for newcomers in the National Assembly. Essien spoke when the Mkpat Enin Elders/Stakeholders Forum, which is championing Sampson’s re-election, paid him a courtesy visit at his residence in Eket on Thursday, according to a statement obtained from the former minister’s WhatsApp media platform on Friday. Sampson, who represents Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District, is seeking re-election in 2027. His aspiration is being challenged by a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission and governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Nsima Ekere, who has also indicated interest in the senatorial seat. Essien said Sampson possesses extensive experience in governance and legislative affairs, having served as Principal legislative aide to former Senator Udoma Udoma, Executive Chairman of a local government council, member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly, and later as a commissioner in the state executive council. “Such a broad spectrum of experience has equipped the senator with the administrative and legislative competence required to continue effective representation of the people at the National Assembly,” he said. Essien, who also serves as Chairman of the Eket Senatorial District Elders Forum, stressed the need for continuity for legislators performing well in the National Assembly, particularly in the Senate. He maintained that experience and ranking are crucial considerations in electing a senator, given the enormous responsibilities of the office. The former two-term member of the House of Representatives (1999–2007) said Eket Senatorial District must sustain effective representation at the National Assembly, noting that the district had benefited significantly from experienced and ranking lawmakers in the past. Drawing from his own experience in public office, Essien said many of his notable achievements were realised during his second term. “The Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has, in the past 27 years, evolved into a strong institution where ranking senators wield considerable influence on Senate decisions and the running of the country. It would be inexpedient for any constituency to send a freshman or a ‘good boy from home’ to represent them in the Nigerian Senate,” he said. He commended the visiting stakeholders for their support for the incumbent senator. “The move you have made today is very timely to scuttle any attempt to take our senatorial district back to the era of single-term representation in the Senate. “The first two or three years in the legislature are always a learning process for fresh members who arrive at the National Assembly as political neophytes to learn the rudiments of the game. For us, there is no more room for learners in the National Assembly,” Essien added. He also said the next step would be to convene a meeting of the Senatorial District Elders to formally endorse Sampson’s return to the Senate. “We shall also appeal to all political parties fielding candidates for the Senate in Eket Senatorial District to adopt Senator Ekong Sampson in the interest of the district,” he said. Earlier, the Chairman of the Mkpat Enin Elders/Stakeholders Forum, Obong Dr Sydney Udofot, represented by the forum’s secretary, Rev. Obot Ekanem, said the group had resolved that Sampson should return to the Senate in 2027 “for better representation and greater impact in the senatorial district.”