Mr Essien was member of the House of Representative from 1999 to 2007.  The position he held at the House of representative includes, the leader of the South-South Parliamentary Caucus and Chairman of the House Committee on Anti Corruption, National Ethics and Values. Late President, Umaru Yar’Adua, later appointed him into the Technical Committee on the Niger Delta. In 2010, Mr. Essien was appointed Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development, a position he held until May, 2012. He is from Akwa Ibom State. He is 70 years old and was appointed to serve in the conference in the elder state men category.