N’Delta activist promises inclusive representation for constituency

Popular Niger Delta activist and National Democratic Party candidate for Warri Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Sheriff Mulade has unveiled a development agenda anchored on economic renewal, inclusive representation, job creation, environmental protection and peaceful coexistence of the various ethnic communities in the Constituency.

He presented the agenda on Monday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, noting that his ambition was to provide a structured form of representation capable of delivering measurable development to the constituency.

Mulade explained that his vision was “to build a peaceful, united, economically vibrant, environmentally protected and socially inclusive constituency where communities could participate in identifying their development priorities and hold their elected representative accountable”.

He said, “My agenda is purpose-driven representation, which would focus on measurable development rather than mere political occupancy. The representation would be guided by clearly defined objectives and interventions that would directly benefit all residents, while unity and peaceful coexistence of the constituency’s diversity should be treated as an asset rather than a source of division”.

Mulade identified the Ijaw, Itsekiri and Urhobo communities, as well as residents from other parts of Nigeria, as important components of the constituency.

He said the development planning would accommodate the interests of both indigenes and non-indigenes who live, work and contribute to the economic activities of Warri Federal Constituency.

“We cannot continue to fight ourselves; we cannot continue to deprive ourselves; we cannot continue to destroy ourselves. There is a need for dialogue, early intervention and peaceful resolution of communal, political and resource-related disputes.

While maintaining that no group should be excluded from development because of ethnic or community identity, Mulade emphasised that his approach would reject the use of ethnicity, religion or community identity as instruments of political manipulation.

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Commenting on his economic empowerment programme, with particular attention to youths and women, Mulade said he would pursue opportunities in agriculture, fisheries, skills acquisition and entrepreneurship while engaging federal ministries, departments and agencies to attract interventions and employment opportunities to the constituency.

He added, “My approach will go beyond announcing skills acquisition or employment programmes to creating practical channels through which qualified constituents could access sustainable opportunities”.

He identified the revival of the Escravos Free Trade Zone as one of his foremost priorities, arguing that its completion could attract industries, create jobs and help restore Warri’s position as an economic hub.

He also described the proposed Gbaramatu Deep Seaport as a project with implications beyond Gbaramatu Kingdom.

“The Gbaramatu Deep Seaport is not just a Gbaramatu project; it is a Warri Federal Constituency project,” he said.

He also proposed the resuscitation of the Warri, Koko, Burutu and Sapele seaports, as well as the Warri Industrial Park, through collaboration with the local, state and Federal Governments.

Mulade linked the economic agenda to the need for environmental justice and economic equity, saying communities in the oil-producing area continued to face environmental degradation despite the region’s contribution to Nigeria’s oil economy.

He said his proposed representation would seek greater federal attention to environmental challenges, infrastructure deficits and other concerns affecting Warri South, Warri North and Warri South-West local government areas.