By Nsan Ndoma-Neji, Calabar
The Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, candidate for the Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South federal constituency of Cross River State, Mr. Ededem Hogan, has promised quarterly consultations with constituents, pledging to “take the pulse of his people to the floor of the lower chamber of the National Assembly.”
Hogan assured his people of excellent representation anchored on competence, credibility and constant engagement, “if voted to to represent his people.”
He gave the assurance during a consultation visit to Ikang and Ikot Effiom communities in Bakassi Local Government Area of the state yesterday with his team of supporters.
Hogan stressed that the challenge in the area “is not a lack of representation, but lack of effective, competent, and credible representation,” urging voters to “elect someone who knows how to get things done and who knows the right people to engage.”
He added, “I am competent. I am very qualified, exposed and know what to do if you send me to the National Assembly.”
Rejecting politics of cash handouts and once-in-four-years visits, Hogan said, “I will not be the kind of representative that will doll out cash to you as if you are beggars. Our people are not beggars.”
He pledged to visit every “two to three months to sit with you and listen to your issues…so that when I speak in Abuja, you can hear your voices reflecting through me.”
To institutionalise the engagement, he announced plans to “put a constituency office in Bakassi” for urgent complaints, adding, “Whatever concern, whatever complaint that you have registered at my constituency office, will be sent to me in Abuja for immediate action.”
Hogan said his representation will cover all groups, not a select few.
He stressed, “I will not be the one that will only reach out to a small circle or clique of people.
“I will be the representative that will carry everyone along.”
He noted that traders, fishermen and farmers “have different needs, and not just cash handouts.”
In their separate remarks, the village heads of Ikang and Ikot Effiom towns of Bakassi Local Government Area of Cross River State, His Highness Chief Antigha Antigha Cobham II and Chief Ekpo Effiom, respectively, pledged to support the candidate if only he will fix electricity, pipe borne water, health centre and other basic amenities lacking in their communities.
