Michael Essien executive, Zainuri Hasyim said that Persib have now released Essien because the club already filling their maximum quota of foreign players based on the PSSI's regulation. Essien's international career started with the Ghana under-17 national team, the "Black Starlets", when he played in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship in New Zealand and won the bronze medal. In 2001, despite being one of the youngest players in the tournament, Essien participated in the 2001 FIFA World Youth Championship with the "Black Satellites" in Argentina, where the nation finished runners-up to Argentina. His exceptional performances captured the attention of many and
Nduese Essien the College of Technology, Calabar. He left to start a business consultancy practice in 1979, and later ran a successful company marketing books for students. In 1979 Essien was the Public Relations Officer of the National Party of Nigeria in Eket. He remained active in local politics, and in 1999 was selected as People's Democratic Party (PDP) National Assembly candidate for the Eket, Onna, Esit Eket and Ibeno constituency. He was elected, and in April 2003 was reelected, leaving office in May 2007. During his first term, Essien chaired the South South Parliamentary Caucus, and was a member of committees