By Martina Egobuike-Enebeli
KWALE/Nigeria: Dr. Mabel Magbulu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani Federal Constituency, has promised to make representation more accountable and accessible through regular engagement with constituents, effective oversight and sustained attention to their development needs.
Magbulu stated this in an exclusive interview with Ndokwa Reporters, where she also outlined her approach to the 2027 House of Representatives election and explained how she plans to build support across the three local government areas.
The real estate entrepreneur said her understanding of the responsibilities of a member of the House of Representatives goes beyond occupying a legislative seat, stressing that the mandate encompasses lawmaking, oversight and constituency representation.
According to her, lawmaking involves creating laws and policies that improve the lives of citizens, while oversight requires scrutinising government agencies and ensuring accountability in the implementation of government programmes and projects.
She said constituency facilitation involves identifying the needs of the people and working through appropriate government channels to attract and monitor development projects.
“I will not go to Abuja to occupy a seat—I will go there to occupy a responsibility, and return with results my people can see and feel,” Magbulu told Ndokwa Reporters.
She said her experience as an entrepreneur had equipped her with skills in negotiation, systems management and stakeholder engagement, which she intended to deploy in attracting development opportunities to the constituency.
Magbulu said she would prioritise projects according to identified needs, develop clear and achievable proposals and work strategically with government agencies, private investors and development partners.
“For me, an idea is only valuable when you can turn it into a workable plan and deliver results,” she said.
The ADC candidate also promised to maintain regular town hall meetings and constituency engagements if elected, saying residents would receive updates on projects and budgets and have opportunities to provide feedback and ask questions.
“My people will not have to wonder what their representative is doing in Abuja. They will know, and they will be able to hold me accountable,” she said.
On her campaign strategy, Magbulu said she was focusing on grassroots engagement, listening to residents and building relationships with community leaders across Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani.
She said her campaign was also creating platforms for youths, women and other stakeholders to participate in discussions about issues affecting the constituency.
“We are already doing it,” she said, adding that the campaign was building what she described as a broad and inclusive movement based on trust, shared interests and a common vision for Ndokwa-Ukwuani.
Magbulu said the response from communities across the three local government areas had been encouraging, while acknowledging the challenges associated with a political contest.
She said her campaign was relying on organisation, stakeholder engagement and grassroots mobilisation as it seeks to secure the mandate of the constituency.
Explaining her confidence in the race, the ADC candidate cited her professional record, network and what she described as growing acceptance among residents.
She said building her business from the ground up in what she described as a traditionally male-dominated industry had strengthened her resilience and capacity, while her entrepreneurial career had also developed her skills in negotiation, strategic networking, coalition-building and mobilisation.
“Most importantly, the growing acceptance I am receiving across Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani tells me our people are ready for a fresh, competent and purposeful representative,” she said.
Magbulu, however, said she was not taking the contest for granted.
“I am earning it, community by community,” she said.
Responding to voters who believe the incumbent representative deserves another term based on his record, Magbulu said she respected their right to make that assessment but argued that representation should be assessed against measurable results.
She identified electricity, roads and infrastructure, youth employment, economic empowerment, healthcare and constituency engagement as areas that should form part of such an assessment.
“Where the gaps remain, we must be willing to demand better,” she said.
Magbulu said she was offering herself as an alternative for voters seeking what she described as competence, capacity and purposeful representation, adding that her campaign would continue its engagement with communities and stakeholders across the constituency.
The ADC candidate is seeking election to represent Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani in the House of Representatives.
