Veteran filmmaker and media entrepreneur Fidelis Duker has officially declared his intention to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives, representing the Akpabuyo/Bakassi/Calabar South Federal Constituency of Cross River State.
Duker, who hails from Henshaw Town, has already secured his Expression of Interest form under the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), formally entering the race ahead of the next legislative cycle.
His entry brings a notable blend of creative industry experience and international exposure into the political space of Cross River State, where he is positioning himself as a voice for structured development and global competitiveness.
For more than 30 years, Duker has been a prominent figure in Africa’s creative sector. He is the founder of the Abuja International Film Festival, regarded as West Africa’s longest-running film festival, and serves as Regional Secretary General of the Federation of Pan African Filmmakers (FEPACI).
Over the years, he has represented Nigeria at major global platforms, including appearances at the Cannes Film Festival in France and engagements across Europe and Africa focused on film industry development and cultural exchange.
Speaking after obtaining his nomination form, Duker said the constituency’s challenge is not a lack of potential but the absence of structured, globally competitive leadership capable of unlocking it.
He stated that his political ambition is driven by a desire to apply his experience in media, enterprise development, and international networking to drive sustainable growth in the region. According to him, his focus will include youth empowerment, infrastructure development, and attracting investment into the area’s coastal economy.
Duker also highlighted his extensive academic and professional background, which includes training at institutions such as the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Crawford University, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), the BBC Training Academy, and Deutsche Welle Akademie.
Beyond filmmaking and broadcasting, he is the Chief Executive Officer of FAD Media Productions, which operates multiple media outlets including FAD 93.1 FM Calabar, FAD FM 101.3 Abuja, and FAD 360 TV. Through these platforms, he says he has contributed significantly to youth employment and media development in Cross River State.
His proposed legislative agenda includes technology-driven youth programmes, policies to attract foreign direct investment, and stronger transparency in constituency project implementation.
