By Benjamin Njoku

Media mogul and filmmaker Fidelis Duker has declared his intention to contest for the House of Representatives seat representing Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency.
The Henshaw Town-born cultural ambassador has picked up his expression of Interest form under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), marking a move to bring global experience to grassroots governance.
For over three decades, Duker has been a leading figure in Africa’s creative economy. As founder of the Abuja International Film Festival, West Africa’s longest-running film festival and Regional Secretary General of the Federation of Pan African Filmmakers (FEPACI), he has promoted Nigerian talent at major global platforms, including the Cannes Film Festival.
“Our constituency doesn’t lack potential; it lacks structured, globally competitive representation,” Duker said after submitting his nomination documents. “I’m stepping into this race to deploy my global network, corporate discipline, and leadership to drive sustainable development, youth empowerment, and infrastructure in Akpabuyo, Bakassi, and Calabar South.”
Duker’s campaign is backed by training from the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Crawford University, UCLA, BBC Training Academy, and Deutsche Welle Akademie. As CEO of FAD Media Productions, he runs FAD 93.1 FM Calabar, FAD FM 101.3 Abuja, and FAD 360 TV, making him one of Cross River’s largest private-sector youth employers.
His legislative agenda focuses on tech-driven youth development, attracting foreign investment to the constituency’s coastal assets, and ensuring transparency in constituency projects.
NDC leadership and community groups have welcomed his candidacy, describing it as a step toward elevating the constituency to international standards of governance and economic growth.