MY STEWARDSHIP (2019–2023)

Senator Ekpenyong is a devout Catholic and a father of two. He lost his first wife, Rev. Dr. Grace Ekpenyong, in 2019 and later remarried Engr. Rose Chris Ekpenyong.

In 1983, he served as a member of the then Cross River State House of Assembly. He was the Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State from 1999 to 2005 under Governor Victor Attah.

In the lead-up to the 2019 general elections, the political climate in Akwa Ibom State was tense, with debates on who would best represent the interests of the people of Akwa Ibom North West in the Senate. Amidst political propaganda and blackmail, Senator Chris Ekpenyong emerged as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate. On February 23, 2019, he contested and won the senatorial seat for Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District, defeating the incumbent, Senator Godswill Akpabio of the All Progressives Congress (APC), by a wide margin. He was inaugurated into the 9th Assembly as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on June 11, 2019.

Following a decision by the Court of Appeal in Calabar, a rerun of the senatorial election was ordered in Essien Udim Local Government Area due to an appeal filed by Senator Akpabio. Senator Ekpenyongs legislative activities were temporarily suspended for two months. However, his mandate was restored after he won the rerun election held on January 25, 2020.

During his tenure, Senator Ekpenyong sponsored and co-sponsored several bills and motions aimed at improving the well-being of his constituents and Nigerians at large. Notable among them were:

• Motions:-

• Bills:-

• Deplorable conditions of Ikot Ekpene-Umuahia and Aba-Ikot Ekpene highways linking Akwa Ibom and Abia State.

• The urgent need to revive the moribund paper mills in Nigeria.

• The failing standard of technical/vocational education in Nigeria.

The need to install computerized oil facilities/ management gadgets for Nigerian Crude oil Business.

- The need to ensure immediate revival of Brass LNG project in Brass Island.

- The need to ensure immediate commencement of oil and Gas Research Centre and Museum, Oloibiri.

- The need to monitor the Nigerians flare commercialisation programme towards ending Gas flaring by 2020.

- Bill for an Act for the Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal of sexual harassment of students in Tertiary Educational Institutions and for matters connected therewith.

- Bill for an Act to Amend the Allocation of Revenue (Federation Account) Act and for other Related Matters.

- Bill to amend the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (Establishment) Act.

- Bill for an act to establish the national environmental research and training institute for the development of environmental policies, training and other matters

- Bill for an Act for the establishment of a Federal College of Agriculture in Obot Akara Local Government

- He also drew the attention of the federal government to the total collapse of Ikot ekpene- udukpani- Calabar high way through an open letter to the president dated 6th of may 2021( vanguard newspaper)

Senator Ekpenyong served as the Vice-Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources and was a member of nine other committees:

• Establishment and Public Service

• Industries

• Petroleum Downstream

• Senate Services

• Army

• Local Content

• Culture and Tourism

• Poverty Alleviation and Social Investment Program

• Host Community

Senator Ekpenyong was committed to improving the living standards of his constituents through various empowerment programs:

Senator Ekpenyong facilitated numerous developmental projects across the Senatorial District:

Construction and furnishing of classroom blocks at Government primary school, Ikot Akai in Ukanafun LGA of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial district

Construction of classroom block at St Francis Xavier primary school, Nto Okon No 1 Ukanafun local government of Akwa Ibom state

Construction and furnishing of 3 classroom block at community secondary school, Nto Edino, Obot akara LGA Akwa Ibom state

Construction and furnishing of 3 classroom block at comprehensive secondary school, Ikpe Mbak Eyop, Obot Akara LGA, Akwa Ibom state

Remodeling of Eritagha market with modern structures of over 360 lock up stores in Obot akara LGA of Akwa Ibom state

Construction of Nto-Ekpe Atan Ibong roads in Obot Akara local government Area;1.4km

Construction of Ikot Etukudoh road in Abak Local Government Area; 900m

Construction of Nkor road in Obot Akara Local Government Area; 900m

Construction and Furnishing of a Skill Acquisition Center in Ikot Udofia, Ini Local Government Area;

Construction and furnishing of a Skill Acquisition Center in Biakana, Ika Local Government Area.

Construction and furnishing of a skill acquisition center in Ikot ukana, Obot Akara LG

All the 4 skill acquisition centers were furnished with equipment such as sewing machines, shoe making machines, all hair salon equipment and accessories for male and female, industrial machines etc. And each skill acquisition center was handed over to the people through their various local government chairmen in a well attended ceremony.

Also, Construction and installation of 10 solar powered boreholes across 10 interior communities in Ikot ekpene senatorial district

The projects and their location:

• Extension of rural electrification and installation of solar lights in various communities and local government in Ikot Ekpene senatorial district

One of the most challenging periods of Senator Ekpenyongs tenure was the 2019 post-election litigation that led to the cancellation of results in Essien Udim LGA. Despite being declared the winner, the legal challenge brought by his opponent, Senator Godswill Akpabio, culminated in a rerun. This period tested his resolve, political maturity, and commitment to due process. He eventually triumphed in the rerun election on January 25, 2020, reaffirming his popular mandate.

Serving as a first-time senator amidst experienced political players, Senator Ekpenyong faced challenges of aligning constituency interests with national legislative dynamics. Despite this, he stood firm in defending Akwa Ibom North-West senatorial district interests, especially in committee deliberations and budget sessions.

The global COVID-19 pandemic disrupted legislative activities and community-based projects. Yet, Senator Ekpenyong ensured that palliatives reached vulnerable constituents and initiated training programs to cushion the effects on local economies.

Senator Chris Ekpenyongs stewardship was marked by humility, accessibility, and a clear passion for his peoples welfare. His programs were tailored to uplift the underprivileged, provide jobs for youths, and revive neglected infrastructure.

He brought development closer to rural communities, improving education, roads, electricity, and agriculture. His insistence on empowering women and youth left a lasting imprint on the districts socio-economic framework.

A statesman known for principle over power, Senator Ekpenyongs one-term tenure was not for lack of capacity or performance. Rather, it reflected his long-held belief in equitable representation and allowing fresh voices a chance to serve.

His words, often echoed in public engagements, encapsulate his legacy ,service driven not by ambition, but by duty, compassion, and faith in democratic progress. That is why as his personal gift to his community amongst many others he established a polytechnic, Gestric Polytechnic, Ikot Ukana in Obot Akara local government of Akwa Ibom state.

History will remember Senator Chris Ekpenyong not just for the bills he passed or the roads he built, but for standing tall during political storms, for choosing integrity over power, and for proving that even one term, when used selflessly, can impact generations.