By: Solomon Azu, Calabar
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency, Ededem Hogan, has called on the people of Akpabuyo to unite behind his candidacy, saying the 2027 general election presents an opportunity to end the local government area’s 24-year exclusion from the federal legislative seat.
Hogan made the call at a stakeholders’ meeting with the 10 NDC ward chairmen and other party leaders in Akpabuyo, where he urged them to intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the election.
Describing Akpabuyo as the food basket of the constituency, Hogan said the area had contributed significantly to the constituency’s development but had not produced a member of the House of Representatives in its current status as a local government area.
“For over 24 years, Akpabuyo, in its real status as a local government, has never produced a representative for this federal constituency,” he said.
“We had somebody from Calabar South who represented this federal constituency for 20 years, just one individual. And immediately after that, we had another person who actually represented Calabar South State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, ascending to the position of the representative.”
Hogan said his emergence as the NDC candidate was made possible by the support he received from Akpabuyo during the party’s primaries, and expressed appreciation to party members for the confidence reposed in him.
“I emerged in the primaries simply because of Akpabuyo, and I truly, truly appreciate that trust. I am standing here because of you, because of all of you. I am standing here to represent all of you,” he said.
The candidate pledged to pursue a new approach to representation founded on consultation, accessibility and accountability, assuring constituents that their voices would be heard in the National Assembly.
“I want to pledge that I am the candidate that will listen to you. I am the candidate that will consult with you. I am the candidate that will remain accessible after election day. I am the candidate that you will be sure speaks your voice at the National Assembly.”
Hogan also criticised what he described as the politics of cash handouts and one-size-fits-all empowerment programmes, arguing that constituency interventions should respond to the actual needs of communities rather than benefit a small circle of individuals.
“Gone are the days that you have a representative who only works for a small clique of people. Gone are the days that you have a representative that you will see once in every four years.
“We are tired of the politics of a few cups of rice, of cash handouts to a small clique,” he said.
He explained that his proposed constituency development agenda would be shaped through consultations with residents and community leaders, with priorities ranging from gully erosion control and agricultural support to education, healthcare and economic empowerment.
According to him, interventions could include support for farmers, traders and fishermen, as well as the renovation or construction of primary schools and health centres, depending on the priorities identified by the communities.
Hogan urged the ward chairmen to serve as ambassadors of his message and take the campaign to every village and community in Akpabuyo.
“I want you to be our evangelists. Go to all the nooks and crannies of Akpabuyo with our message of hope. Let our people know that Akpabuyo will stand up to be counted. Let our people know that indeed, this is our time,” he said.
Responding, the NDC Akpabuyo Chapter Chairman, Hon. Ekpenyong Bassey, expressed confidence in Hogan’s candidacy, describing him as a candidate with the capacity and passion to change the narrative of representation in the constituency.
Bassey said the party leadership was pleased that Akpabuyo had an opportunity to produce a representative after more than two decades, and pledged the readiness of party officers and stakeholders to mobilise support for Hogan and the NDC in the 2027 general election.
Other party leaders who spoke at the meeting reaffirmed their loyalty to the party and commitment to the candidate’s electoral success.
They also called for the provision of a befitting chapter secretariat, campaign materials and other logistical support to strengthen the party’s grassroots mobilisation efforts.
The Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency comprises Akpabuyo, Bakassi and Calabar South local government areas of Cross River State.
