He was then elected governor of Cross River State with the support of the then Senate president Joseph Wayas and senator Joseph Oqua Ansa who all went against seating governor Clement Isong, Fidelis Ikogo Nnang was his deputy, holding this office from October to December 1983, when the military coup brought General Muhammadu Buhari to power.
[1][2] Etiebet was born in Ikot Ekpene in Akwa Ibom State, of Annang origins.
[4] His younger brother Donatus ("Don") Obot Etiebet held office as Minister of Energy in the short-lived cabinet of Ernest Shonekan, continuing in office after that government was removed by General Sani Abacha, and later was a contender to be PDP nominee for governor of Akwa Ibom State in 2007.
Etiebet was appointed deputy National chairman, South for the ANPP.
[8] As President of the Supreme Council of Elders in Akwa Ibom State, in March 2004, Etiebet led a delegation of leaders from Akwa Ibom State to meet President Olusegun Obasanjo and discuss the Onshore/offshore abrogation Act, which redistributed oil revenues.