The lawmaker representing Oron Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Nse Ekpenyong, is reportedly dead.
The 58-year-old Ekpenyong who died on Saturday represented Oron, Mbo, Okobo, Urueoffong Oruku and Udung-Uko in the House of Representatives.
The chairman of Mbo Local Government Area, Asuquo Eyo, confirmed the death to PREMIUM TIMES, saying the federal lawmaker was not ill.
Mr Ekpenyong was representing Oron Federal Constituency of Akwa lbom State, and would have completed his second term in May 2023.
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He is a former member of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and a former deputy chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa lbom State.
Ekpenyong obtained his West African Senior Certificate from St. Vincent Secondary School Oti-Oron in 1985. He further earned a National Diploma (ND) in 2011 from the Abia State Polytechnic, Aba.
Before joining politics, he served as the Managing Director of Based/Investment Trust Co Nigeria Ltd and later the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Brule Integrated Nigeria Ltd.
In 2017, he was arraigned at the Federal High Court, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over allegations of certificate forgery.
Following his death, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, is expected to declare his seat vacant.
The electoral commission, INEC, will then conduct a fresh election to fill the seat.
