By Our Reporter
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency, Mr Ededem Hogan, has explained why he is seeking to unseat the incumbent member of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Joseph Bassey.
Speaking at the formal kick-off of his campaign, which featured the unveiling of his manifesto and the opening of his campaign office at the weekend, Hogan said representation in the federal constituency had, for too long, been measured by what was distributed during election seasons rather than by the quality of legislation, advocacy, oversight and development attracted to the area.
He said, “For too long, representation in our Federal Constituency has been measured by what is distributed/shared during election seasons rather than by the quality of legislation, advocacy, oversight and development attracted to our communities.
“Yet, our farmers struggle to move their produce, our fishermen need better support, our traders contend with flooding and other challenges, our young people desperately need skills and opportunities, and the historic questions of Bakassi resettlement and integration remain unfinished.”
The House of Representatives hopeful, whose campaign message is anchored on service delivery, addressed the people of the three local government areas separately, promising that under his representation, the voice of the people “will be heard, documented and carried forward.”
“Politics can be different,” he continued. “Representation can be about service rather than privilege. The mandate of the people must remain stronger than the influence of money or political godfathers.
“I can do better. We must do better. And together, we will do better.
“My campaign therefore offers the people of ABC something straightforward: a practical framework for justice, resettlement, opportunity and accountability. It is not a catalogue of impossible promises. It is a covenant containing commitments that our people should be able to see, measure and hold me accountable for.”
On Akpabuyo, Hogan lamented that despite the area being one of the great agricultural and fishing communities, its enormous potential remained constrained by inadequate infrastructure, insecurity and insufficient access to opportunities.
“Our representation will fight for a fair and transparent share of federal interventions affecting Akpabuyo. We will advocate for better coastal and farm-to-market infrastructure and stronger support for farming and fishing communities, including storage and processing facilities,” he pledged.
Addressing the people of Bakassi, whom he described as resilient, Hogan said their story was part of the Nigerian story, stressing that several fundamental issues surrounding their displacement and resettlement remained unresolved.
“Years after displacement and resettlement began, too many fundamental questions remain unanswered. Questions of land. Questions of identity and documentation. Questions of schools and healthcare.
“Questions surrounding Dayspring and Kwa Islands. Questions of shoreline protection and security. And the unresolved question of a permanent and functional administrative headquarters for Bakassi.
“These matters cannot continue to appear in political conversations only when elections approach.”
He vowed that, if elected, Bakassi resettlement, identity and development “will become headline legislative priorities of my representation.”
Hogan also said the situation in Calabar South was not different, noting that residents continued to confront practical challenges on a daily basis.
“Traders lose income when markets and neighbourhoods get flooded. Families worry about insecurity. Too many young people finish school without clear pathways into skills, apprenticeships, entrepreneurship or employment,” he said.
He promised that his representation would prioritise drainage and flood control, neighbourhood safety, opportunities for young people, and fair treatment for traders and market women.
The NDC candidate explained that he joined the race with more than 25 years of professional experience in international development and project management, having worked with institutions including the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) at the British High Commission, the Department for International Development (DFID) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
“I renew the pledge contained in our manifesto: To Akpabuyo, your fair share of development will be protected and accounted for.
“To Bakassi, your resettlement, identity and right to a functional homeland will remain at the centre of our representation.
“To Calabar South, we will champion safer communities, better-functioning markets, opportunities for our young people and representation that is accessible to you,” he stated.
Earlier, an elder of the party in the state, Dr Tete Bassey Duke, who represented the State Chairman at the event, expressed confidence in Hogan’s chances of winning the election.
“This candidate has a very bright chance of winning this contest. Akpabuyo has been neglected for some time,” he said.
Declaring, “This is our time. We have a very bright candidate,” Dr Duke said the State Chairman had mandated him to rally support for Hogan and other candidates of the party.
“The State Chairman has asked me to tell everybody that this is our candidate for the House of Representatives. I want everybody to support him, join his campaign team, work with him, and also ensure that all the candidates of the party align with one another so that we can come up with a very powerful team,” he said.
Also speaking, the Deputy Governorship candidate of the party, Bishop Dr Stella Archibong, said the time had come for leadership that would listen, serve and deliver.
“Time for leadership that listens, serves and delivers is now. Let us unite, mobilise and work together. Let us be void of sentiments. Let our conscience come into play more than two cups of rice and two thousand Naira.
“The time for leadership is now. Let us unite, let us work together and make history one more time. And I know that victory is assured.
“It is time to vote your conscience beyond the money that wouldn’t take care of you for the next four years,” she said.
