A former Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja (now known as the Mariam Babangida National Centre for Women’s Development Centre) Barr. Mary Ekpere, has declared her intention to run for the Cross River Central Senatorial District under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Ekpere made the declaration on Saturday night, during an APC ward meeting held at her residence in Ikom LGA, stating that she will prioritise the restoration of electricity in the district, women and youth empowerment and the improvement of the quality of social services provided to constituents.
She noted that despite not making it into the Senate, she has remained close to the people and has attracted impactful projects.
She said: “This is my second time running, having first made an attempt in 2023; nevertheless, my values and governance philosophy haven’t changed from 2023. Indeed, in the last three years, despite not being in government, I have attracted developmental projects and programmes to our Senatorial Zone, some of which include: the installation of solar-powered boreholes and the installation of street lights across the district. In the area of impactful programmes, I coordinated the training of our women in sesame farming and the training of youths and women on the conversion of cars to CNG. I have also given some of our women different types of equipment to start and upgrade their businesses.
“It is important to reiterate that my serving the people as a private citizen is a reflection of my political and guiding philosophy. My personal ethos remains, putting the people first, ensuring transparency and accountability, as well as bringing back home the dividends of democracy.
“For my presence in the Senate, I can promise the people of Cross River Central that aside from deploying my experience in public service as the Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development, Abuja and my tremendous goodwill across the public and private sectors, I will speak wisely, loudly and clearly in the Red Chamber”.
According to her it is time for the Cross River Central Senatorial District to produce a female senator.
“I must conclude today’s speech by courageously appealing to the people of Cross River Central Senatorial District to take this clear chance to produce a female senator. The Late Senator Rose Okoh represented Cross River North creditably well, the same for ‘Mama Bakassi’, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa who represented Cross River South.
“I make bold to say that it is time for Cross River Central to create new history by producing its first female Senator”.
The attendance at the declaration, include all 11 APC ward chairmen, all 10 APC councillors of Ikom LGA, members of Ikom LGA, APC, chapter exco and members of Ikom Urban Ward 1 and exco.
