Ekpotu was born in Akwa Ibom State to a renowned teacher Gaul and his wife Cornelia in 1960. He is married to Mbosowo and they have three children. A member of the
People's Democratic Party, he served as Deputy Governor to
Godswill Akpabio in Akwa Ibom state from 2007 to 2011, having previously served as the state's Commissioner for Information, Culture and Ethical Re-Orientation during Governor
Victor Attah's administration. He was also Federal Commissioner (
South South) in the National Assembly Service Commission from 2003 to 2005. He is the author of several books, including
Lifting the Peril, which was published in 2011. == Education ==