Nollywood veteran and Abuja International Film Festival founder, Fidelis Duker, has officially thrown his hat into the political ring.
Duker is set to contest for the Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives come 2027.
He will be running under the banner of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
The high-stakes seat is currently occupied by the APC’s Joseph Archibong Bassey, who chairs the House Committee on Emergency and Disaster Management.
With this move, Duker joins a growing list of Nollywood stars turning into lawmakers, following in the footsteps of veterans like Emeka Ike and Foluke Daramola.
The Agenda: Justice for Bakassi & Urban Renewal
Taking to his Instagram and Facebook pages to announce the news, the former President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) laid out a bold vision anchored in urban renewal, human dignity, and shared prosperity.
“It is a New Dawn. We have a clear direction. I will take this bill to the National Assembly. I will build alliances. I will lead and push for debate. I will fight for its passage because Bakassi is our home. Our people deserve better,” he wrote.
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At the heart of his campaign is a mission to correct historical wrongs. Duker promised to aggressively push for the Bakassi Resettlement, Integration and Development Commission Bill, a people-centred initiative aimed at bringing justice, reconstruction, and fresh opportunities to the displaced people of Bakassi.
“I understand the pain and uncertainty this has caused in our community. Please know that your voices and concerns are not unheard, and we are committed to working tirelessly to alleviate your hardships.
“As your legislator, I pledge to advocate for your rights and well-being through the enactment of meaningful laws and initiatives. Together, we will strive to secure the resources and support necessary to restore hope and opportunity in our region. You deserve a future filled with promise and dignity, and I will work assiduously to turn that aspiration into reality,” he added.
He also vowed to tackle the lingering fallout from the 2006 Green Tree Accord, which ceded the Bakassi Peninsula to Cameroon.
Additionally, the filmmaker pledged to sponsor a Coastal Urban Renewal and Waterfront Communities Bill to unlock funding, protect fragile coastlines, and improve living standards for waterfront communities across the constituency.
From the Director’s Chair to the National Assembly
Duker isn’t just a creative; he brings a massive profile of leadership and intellectual depth to the race:
Deep Nigerian Roots: A native of Henshaw Town in Cross River State, Duker was born in Lagos and educated in Northern Nigeria, giving him a truly national perspective.
Elite Education: He is an alumnus of Yaba College of Technology, the University of Jos, the NTA College, and the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, with advanced international training from Deutsche Welle (Germany) and the BBC (Scotland).
Industry Pioneer: After starting his career in 1988, writing dramas for the NTA, he founded the Abuja International Film Festival in 2003, now one of Africa’s longest-running film festivals.
With decades of experience managing people and leading continental film organisations, Duker is now ready to direct his finest production yet: a transformed constituency.
