Rep. Mark Esset

Happy birthday, madam.

Yesterday, Thursday, April 23, 2026, the House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria, at plenary presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, PhD, GCON, advanced key legislative and oversight actions across security, public health, electoral compliance, and inclusive governance. The session underscored the House’s sustained commitment to national stability and institutional accountability.

In the exercise of its constitutional mandates of representation and oversight, the House received three petitions from citizens, as well as twelve reports from the Committee on Public Petitions, reaffirming its dedication to addressing public grievances through established legislative processes.

On the legislative front, a Bill seeking to establish the National Institute for Public Health and Infectious Diseases, alongside three others, successfully passed Second Reading, marking a significant step toward strengthening Nigeria’s public health framework.

As a House, we remain committed to enacting people-oriented laws that will positively impact the lives of all our constituents.

6️⃣2️⃣ HEARTY CHEERS TO A MODEL OF GOVERNANCE IN NIGERIA

On this special day, on behalf of my family and the good people of Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency, I warmly felicitate with the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency, Pastor Umo Bassey Eno, PhD, on the occasion of his 62nd birthday, today, Friday, 24th April 2026.

As you mark this milestone, we pray that God continues to strengthen and guide you as you drive the vision of your A.R.I.S.E Agenda for the growth and prosperity of our dear State.

We particularly appreciate your deliberate efforts in ensuring that the benefits of governance are felt across all communities within our constituency.

Happy Birthday, Your Excellency. God bless you abundantly, Sir.

Hon. Mark Udo Esset, PhD
Member representing Uyo/Uruan/Nsit Atai/Ibesikpo Asutan Federal Constituency & Chairman, Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Relations, House of Representatives, Abuja.

24 • 04 • 2026

JOY IS COMING

📌

WHY HON. MARK ESSET DESERVES A SECOND TERM IN THE FEDERAL HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

In the architecture of representative democracy, continuity is often the difference between average representation and exceptional impact. Constituencies do not benefit from constant interruptions in legislative experience, they thrive when competence is retained, strengthened, and strategically deployed. This is precisely why Hon. Mark Esset, PhD stands out as a strong candidate for a second term in the Federal House of Representatives.

Hon. Mark Esset has, within his first tenure, evolved into a key legislative figure with committee leadership responsibility, serving as a Chairman of a vital House Committee. In legislative politics, chairmanship is not ceremonial, it is influence, authority, and access. It is from such positions that policies are shaped, opportunities are negotiated, and national attention is directed toward constituencies. Hon. Esset’s role places him at the center of decision making structures that matter.

Beyond leadership of a committee, he is also a member of multiple strategic committees, which further amplifies his reach within the legislative ecosystem. This multi committee engagement is not just symbolic, it is practical political capital. It provides him with broader exposure to national issues, deeper participation in policy formulation, and stronger networks across different sectors of government.

In politics, influence is currency, and Hon. Esset has steadily built it. His growing legislative experience has refined his understanding of parliamentary procedures, political negotiation, and the informal but powerful alliances that drive development at the federal level. He is no longer a novice learning the ropes, he has become a legislator who understands how the system works and how to make it work for his people.

One of the most critical realities of federal representation is the ability to lobby effectively for constituency benefits. Development does not come by chance, it comes through negotiation, relationships, and strategic engagement. Hon. Esset has demonstrated the ability to engage relevant stakeholders, connect with decision makers, and position his constituency for opportunities in employment, empowerment schemes, federal appointments, and infrastructural interventions.

His ranking status within the House further strengthens his advantage. Ranking members enjoy increased respect, visibility, and access within legislative circles. They are more likely to be consulted, more likely to influence debates, and more likely to shape outcomes. This status is not achieved overnight, it is earned through time, consistency, and credibility. A second term would elevate Hon. Esset even further, increasing his capacity to attract federal presence to his constituency.

It is also important to emphasize that governance is about momentum, not resets. Every new lawmaker starts by learning the system, building relationships, understanding procedures, and gaining trust. Hon. Esset has already passed that stage. Removing him now would mean abandoning the progress already made and returning to the beginning of a long political learning curve.

What the constituency needs at this stage is not experimentation, but consolidation. Not uncertainty, but continuity. Not a new voice struggling for recognition, but an established voice already seated at strategic tables where decisions are made.

Hon. Mark Esset represents that continuity. He represents stability in representation, growth in influence, and expansion in legislative capacity. A second term is not just a political reward, it is a strategic investment in deeper development, stronger advocacy, and greater federal presence.

Rep. Mark Esset has earned the trust, gained the experience, built the networks, and secured the legislative standing necessary to deliver more. A second term will not start his journey, it will accelerate it.

For his constituency, the choice is simple, build on progress or restart from zero.

It’s a wrap!

The 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), hosted in Istanbul, Türkiye 🇹🇷, from 15–19 April 2026, has successfully concluded today.

The IPU Assembly serves as a critical global platform that brings together parliamentarians to deliberate on pressing international issues such as economic development, climate change, peacebuilding, and trade relations. It also provides an avenue for sharing best practices aimed at strengthening democratic institutions worldwide.

With the theme, “Nurturing Hope, Securing Peace and Ensuring Justice for Future Generations,” this year’s Assembly convened at a time when global cooperation has never been more essential.

I actively participated in the sessions and engaged with fellow lawmakers and parliamentary experts on strategies to enhance legislative oversight, promote effective lawmaking, and strengthen constituency representation.

Notably, the strong Nigerian delegation to the Assembly was ably led by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio.

As the global organization of national parliaments, the IPU continues to play a vital role in promoting peace, democracy, and sustainable development, while strengthening institutions to become more inclusive, representative, and resilient.

On the sidelines of the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Istanbul, Türkiye, the Nigerian delegation, ably led by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, held high-level bilateral meetings with parliamentary delegations from Morocco and Senegal to strengthen diplomatic ties and parliamentary relations.

The meetings, which brought together senior parliamentarians from the three countries, underscored the enduring friendship and strategic partnerships between Nigeria, Morocco, and Senegal.

The delegations emphasized the need to consolidate cooperation for mutual development and the advancement of the African continent.

The Moroccan delegation was led by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami, while the Senegalese delegation was led by the Speaker of the National Assembly, Amadou Mame Diop.

These engagements provided a renewed opportunity to deepen bilateral relations and elevate cooperation to a more ambitious level. The parties also pledged to sustain high-level interactions and expand areas of collaboration for the collective benefit of their nations and Africa at large.

I am honoured to be part of the Nigerian delegation attending the 152nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), taking place in Istanbul, Türkiye, from April 15–19, 2026.

With the theme, “Nurturing Hope, Securing Peace and Ensuring Justice for Future Generations,” this year’s Assembly comes at a time when global cooperation has never been more critical.

The Nigerian delegation, ably led by the President of the Senate, Chief Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, is actively engaging in deliberations, contributing meaningfully to discussions and policy directions aimed at addressing today’s most pressing global challenges.

The IPU remains a vital global platform that brings together parliamentarians to deliberate on key international issues, including economic development, climate change, peace-building, and trade relations. It also promotes the exchange of best practices to strengthen democratic institutions worldwide.

This Assembly provides a unique opportunity for leaders across nations to collaborate, foster constructive dialogue, and remain focused on what truly matters—improving the lives of our people.

Since its establishment in 1889, the IPU has evolved from a peace-promoting body into a leading institution for parliamentary diplomacy, international cooperation, and the advancement of democratic governance.

As democracy continues to evolve, there is a growing need for tailored capacity-strengthening support for parliamentarians—aligned with their specific contexts and realities. Given the high turnover in legislative bodies, a defining feature of democracy, sustained and flexible capacity-building efforts are essential.

Indeed, democracy must be nurtured and rebuilt every day.

Happy 20th Marriage Anniversary, My Brother.