The convener of Niger Delta Development Agenda, NDDA, Iteveh Nurudeen Ekpokpobe has formally declared his intention to contest the Isoko South Constituency 1 seat in the Delta State House of Assembly under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ekpokpobe who made the declaration to the Chairman, executives, and stakeholders of the APC Isoko South Local Government Chapter at the party secretariat in Oleh said the decision followed extensive consultations with leaders and constituents who have given him their nod and continued support.
“I am contesting because of my innate desire to push for infrastructural and socio-economic development of Isoko land, as well as the human capital development of our people,” he stated.
Ekpokpobe, who has a long history of advocacy against the marginalisation of the Niger Delta region, particularly the Isoko Nation, declared that his track record positions him as the best man for the job.
He unveiled a four-point legislative agenda tagged P.A.V.E, which he described as a commitment to lay a solid foundation for the constituency’s progress.
Under Progressive Infrastructure, Ekpokpobe pledged to sponsor bills for rural-urban road mapping and the rehabilitation of link roads to connect farms to markets. He also promised to push for community-led monitoring of constituency projects through citizen oversight committees.
On Accountable Governance, he vowed to hold quarterly town hall meetings to render accounts of his activities, votes, and funds. He plans to advocate for the digitisation of constituency allowances via a public online portal and the reservation of 30% of project nominations for youth and women groups.
For Viable Empowerment, the aspirant disclosed plans to organise Constituency SME Clinics in partnership with SMEDAN and the Bank of Industry for business registration, loans, and CAC support. He also intends to sponsor motions for agricultural value chain support, including subsidised inputs and guaranteed offtake for cassava, plantain, and fish farmers.
On Education & Health Equity, Ekpokpobe promised to push for well-equipped Primary Health Care Centres in every ward, improved teachers’ welfare, a law for free sanitary pads in schools and penalties for underage marriage to boost girl-child retention, and the establishment of drug abuse counselling and rehabilitation centres in collaboration with NDLEA and the Ministry of Health.
The aspirant, who has already picked his Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the APC Secretariat in Asaba, assured constituents of bringing dividends of democracy closer to the people.
“I am not going to Asaba to be silent. I am going to Asaba to speak, to sponsor bills, and to bring home the dividends of democracy.”
