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Akon Etim Eyakenyi ((listen); born 24 February 1960) is a Nigerian politician who is the deputy governor of Akwa Ibom State. She served as the senator for Akwa Ibom South from 2019 to 2023. Before being elected to the senate, she was the Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development from 2014 to 2015 under President Goodluck Jonathan.

Early life and education

Eyakenyi was born in 1960 into the family of Chief Uweh Isangedihi in Urue-Offong/Oruko local government area in Akwa Ibom State. In 1968 she attended Government Primary School, Uko Uyokim where she finished with her First School Leaving Certificate in 1974. In 1974 she enrolled into the Methodist Teacher’s Training College in Oron and graduated with Teachers Grade II Certificate in 1979.

In 1983 Akon enrolled into the University of Calabar and was given Nigerian Certificate in Education (NCE) in 1986. In 1990, she obtained a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) degree from the University of Calabar. She also obtained a Master of Education (M.Ed) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) in Curriculum Education in 2010 and 2014 respectively. She is married with children and grand children.

Career

Akon Eyakenyi began her career as a teacher when she was appointed Mistress I & II by the Cross River State Education board where she served from 1986 to 1993. In 1991, while serving as a teacher she was appointed Supervisor for Education, Youths, Sports and Culture in Oron. Subsequently she served in the Akwa Ibom State ministry of education 1993 to 1999 as an Education officer. In 1999, she was appointed to serve in the Akwa Ibom State Education board.

In 2000, she was appointed Commissioner for Industry, Commerce and Tourism in Akwa Ibom State during the regime of Victor Attah. In 2013, she was appointed by Godswill Akpabio as chairman of Akwa Ibom State Technical Schools Board. She served as chairman of the board until her appointment by President Goodluck Jonathan as Minister of Lands, Housing and Urban Development in 2014.

Senate

In 2018, Eyakenyi declared her intentions to run for senate and represent Akwa Ibom South senatorial district. In October 2018, she participated in the party primaries of the People's Democratic Party (Nigeria) to represent Akwa Ibom South senatorial district and emerged the winner in the primaries. On 25 February 2019 she was declared winner of the 2019 general elections to represent Akwa Ibom South senatorial district. In 2021, she established the Nigerian Coast Guard in the senate.

References

1. Ukpong, Cletus (20 May 2019). "9th National Assembly: We'll not defect, PDP senator assures governor". Retrieved 24 June 2019.
2. "INEC declares PDP winner of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial seat". Punch Newspapers. 25 February 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
3. "INEC declares PDP winner of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial seat". 25 February 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
4. Umo, Iniabasi; Uyo (25 February 2019). "INEC declares PDP winner in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District". Daily Trust. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
5. "I Feel Blessed, Says Senate Newbie Akon Eyakenyi". THISDAYLIVE. 19 April 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
6. "Governorship Polls: How states will vote". The Nation Newspaper. 2 March 2019. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
7. "Affordable housing: private initiative to the rescue". The Nation Newspaper. 5 July 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
8. "AK At 30: Making Bold Imprints In National Politics". pioneernewsonline.com. Retrieved 24 June 2019.
9. "I Feel Blessed, Says Senate Newbie Akon Eyakenyi". thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
10. "Senate 2019: Akon Eyakenyi Declares Intention, Consults Frank Archibong". NetReporters. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
11. "Plot to Blackmail Former Minister Over Senate Ambition Uncovered". National News Track. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
12. Umo, Iniabasi; Uyo (26 October 2018). "A/Ibom: See list of Senatorial and HoR candidates". Daily Trust. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
13. ^ "PDP Sen primaries: Akpan, Ekpene, Eyakenyi emerge flag bearers in A-Ibom". Vanguard News. 4 October 2018. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
14. "INEC declares PDP winner of Akwa Ibom South Senatorial seat". 25 February 2019. Retrieved 25 June 2019.
15. Umo, Iniabasi; Uyo (25 February 2019). "INEC declares PDP winner in Akwa Ibom South Senatorial District". Daily Trust. Retrieved 25 June 2019.

Notes

1. Abaribe was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in May 2022.
2. Abbo was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in November 2020.
3. Akpan was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the YPP in July 2022.
4. The PDP's Ekpenyong was elected senator in 2019 but a Court of Appeal partially annulled the results and called a supplementary election in the affected areas. Ekpenyong won the ensuing rerun election and was sworn-in again in January 2020.
5. Oduah was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in August 2021 before returning to the PDP in April 2022.
6. Jika was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the NNPP in June 2022.
7. Bulkachuwa was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in November 2022.
8. Gumau was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the NNPP in May 2022.
9. The PDP's Douye Diri was elected senator in 2019 but resigned in February 2020 after winning election to become Bayelsa State Governor. Cleopas won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.
10. The PDP's Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo was elected senator in 2019 but resigned in February 2020 after winning election to become Bayelsa State Deputy Governor. Dickson won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.
11. ^ In April 2022, Adamu and Kyari resigned from the Senate after taking APC party offices the month prior.
12. The PDP's Rose Okoji Oko was elected senator in 2019 but died in March 2020. Jarigbe and fellow PDP member Stephen Odey fought in court over the ensuing by-election's PDP nomination; Odey won both initial court decisions and the by-election before taking office late in December 2020. However, Jarigbe later won several court challenges which declared him the legitimate PDP nominee and thus senator. Jarigbe took office in September 2021.
13. Nwaoboshi was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in June 2021.
14. Alimikhena was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in June 2022.
15. The APC's Adedayo Clement Adeyeye was elected senator in 2019 but the NASS Election Petition Tribunal awarded and Court of Appeal affirmed the win to Olujimi. She took office in November 2019.
16. Onyewuchi was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the LP in June 2022.
17. Due to disputes over alleged irregularities, the APC's Benjamin Uwajumogu was not sworn in until July 2019. Uwajumogu died in December 2019 leading to a bye-election. After disputes, Ibezim was awarded the bye-election victory and took office in April 2021.
18. Due to disputes over the alleged forced declaration of his election, Okorocha was not sworn in until June 14, 2019.
19. Shekarau was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the NNPP in May 2022 then to the PDP in August 2022.
20. Babba Kaita was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in April 2022.
21. Aliero was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in May 2022.
22. Abdullahi was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the PDP in June 2022.
23. The PDP's Dino Melaye was elected senator in 2019 but Adeyemi petitioned against the results and the NASS Election Petition Tribunal annulled the results and called a new election. Adeyemi won the ensuing rerun election and took office in December 2019.
24. The APC's Adebayo Osinowo was elected senator in 2019 but died in June 2020. Abiru won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.
25. Akwashiki was elected as a member of the APC but switched to the SDP in July 2022.
26. The APC's David Umaru was elected senator in 2019 but the Supreme Court awarded the APC primary win to Musa making him senator. He took office in July 2019.
27. Balogun was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in May 2022.
28. The APC's Ignatius Datong Longjan was elected senator in 2019 but died in February 2020. Daduut won the ensuing bye-election and took office in December 2020.
29. The APC's Abubakar Shehu Tambuwal was elected senator in 2019 but a Court of Appeal awarded the win to Abdullahi Danbaba. He took office in November 2019 as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in April 2022.
30. Bwacha was elected as a member of the PDP but switched to the APC in February 2022.
31. ^ Prior to inauguration, the APC's Zamfara votes were voided due to improper holding of party primaries. Thus the PDP runners-up took office. All three (Anka, Hassan Muhammed Gusau, Yaú) switched to the APC in June 2021. In February 2022, Muhammed Gusau resigned to become Zamfara Deputy Governor.

• Oron people
• Living people
• 1960 births
• Senators of the 9th National Assembly (Nigeria)
• Peoples Democratic Party (Nigeria) politicians
• University of Calabar alumni