By Edet Ikotidem

The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate for the Oron Federal Constituency in the 2027 general election, Progress Okuk, has said her decision to contest for the House of Representatives is driven by a desire to end what she described as years of marginalisation of the Oron people and provide competent representation at the National Assembly.

Oron Has Suffered Years of Marginalisation, I Want to Give My People a Strong Voice – NDC House of Reps Candidate, Progress Okuk

Speaking during an interview, Okuk, a businesswoman and political activist, traced her political journey from being one of the founding members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), before eventually joining the NDC.

According to her, she left the APC because of her political convictions and belief in the vision of the NDC.

“I have been a political activist for many years. Although I am primarily a businesswoman, politics has always been part of my life. I was one of the founding members of the CPC and later became part of the APC after the merger. During the last general election, I served on the National Campaign Committee for Peter Obi because I believed in his vision. It was that same conviction that eventually led me to join the Nigeria Democratic Congress,” she said.

I Want to Give My People a Strong Voice

Explaining why she decided to seek election into the House of Representatives, Okuk said the people of Oron Federal Constituency have continued to suffer from poor representation despite their strategic importance.

“My people deserve competent representation. For years, we have searched for leaders who would truly speak for our interests, but we have remained underserved. I decided to step into the race because I believe the time has come for Oron people to have a strong and effective voice in the National Assembly.”

She described the alleged marginalisation of the Oron people as one of the major reasons behind her ambition.

“Oron Federal Constituency consists of five local government areas and is one of the largest federal constituencies in Nigeria. Yet, we have suffered untold marginalisation over the years. Addressing that injustice is one of my primary motivations for contesting this election.”

On the controversy surrounding the proposed Ibaka Deep Seaport, the NDC candidate maintained that the project should remain in its original location.

“My position is very clear. Ibaka Deep Seaport should remain Ibaka Deep Seaport. The location should not be changed.”

She criticised recent comments by the Akwa Ibom State Governor on the issue, arguing that they were not helpful to efforts aimed at fostering unity.

“I listened to the Governor’s remarks and felt they were condescending. Rather than unite the people, they appeared to portray Oron as being responsible for the delay in the project, and I do not believe that is true.”

According to Okuk, the delay in developing the deep seaport is not the fault of the Oron people.

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“The seaport has not taken off because the government has not demonstrated enough commitment to the project. We believe the project remains viable, and under the NDC, we will work to ensure that it is eventually realised because of its enormous economic potential.”

She noted that the deep seaport has the capacity to transform not only the economy of Akwa Ibom State but also that of the entire Niger Delta region through employment creation, increased trade and industrial development.

Outlining her legislative agenda, Okuk identified three priority areas she intends to pursue if elected.

The first, she said, is the creation of an additional federal constituency for Oron.

“We believe Oron deserves two federal constituencies. That will be one of the major legislative issues I intend to champion.”

She also pledged to build alliances across the country to facilitate the actualisation of the Ibaka Deep Seaport project.

“We will engage lawmakers and stakeholders from across Nigeria to ensure that the Ibaka Deep Seaport becomes a reality.”

Her third priority, she explained, would be to strengthen the Maritime Academy by pursuing its elevation into a fully recognised university with accredited academic programmes.

“We want to ensure that the Maritime Academy attains full university status with accredited programmes that will produce skilled manpower for Nigeria’s maritime sector.”

Commenting on the recent court ruling involving the Nigeria Democratic Congress, Okuk dismissed concerns over the matter, describing it as a temporary legal issue that would soon be resolved.

“I see it as the final kick of a dying horse. It is a non-issue and I am confident it will be resolved in the coming days because the facts are very clear.”

She argued that democracy thrives when opposition parties are allowed to operate freely and compete fairly.

“We inherited this democracy through years of struggle. In every democratic system, the opposition must be allowed to flourish. Attempts to weaken opposition parties do not strengthen democracy; they weaken it. That is why I believe this matter will ultimately be resolved through the judicial process.”

Despite the legal challenge, the NDC candidate expressed confidence in her party’s future and reiterated her commitment to offering what she described as purposeful and people-centered representation for the people of Oron Federal Constituency.