Media Practitioner Fidelis Duker Joins House of Reps Race for Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South

Filmmaker and media practitioner Fidelis Duker has declared his intention to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing the Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency.

Duker, who is from Henshaw Town, has picked up his Expression of Interest (EOI) form under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

His entry into the race adds experience from the media and creative industry to the political landscape of Cross River State. For over three decades, Duker has been involved in Africa’s creative sector.

As the founder of the Abuja International Film Festival and Regional Secretary General of the Federation of Pan African Filmmakers (FEPACI), Duker has represented Nigeria at international film and cultural events, including the Cannes Film Festival in France. He has also participated in industry engagements across Europe and Africa.

“Our constituency does not suffer from a lack of potential; it suffers from a lack of structured and competitive representation,” Duker said after collecting his nomination documents.

“My career has been defined by creating opportunities, building platforms, and promoting Nigerian talent internationally. I am stepping into this race to apply the same experience, network, and leadership to support development, youth empowerment, and infrastructure in Akpabuyo, Bakassi, and Calabar South.”

Duker studied at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Crawford University, and the Cross River University of Technology. He also received professional training at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the BBC Training Academy, and the Deutsche Welle Training Akademie.

As Chief Executive Officer of FAD Media Productions, owners of FAD 93.1 FM Calabar, FAD FM 101.3 Abuja, and FAD 360 TV, Duker has worked in media broadcasting and youth employment initiatives in Cross River State.

According to his campaign outline, he plans to support youth development programmes, attract investment to the constituency, and promote transparency in constituency projects through legislative initiatives.

The NDC leadership and some community groups have welcomed his candidacy, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen representation and development in the constituency.