WARRI/Nigeria: National Democratic Party (NDP) candidate for Warri Federal Constituency in the 2027 House of Representatives election, Dr Sheriff Mulade, has proposed an employment opportunities desk and regular community consultations as part of his plan for representing the constituency.
Mulade unveiled the proposals on Monday during an engagement with journalists at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, where he presented what he described as a seven-point development agenda for the constituency.
He said the proposed employment desk would serve as a channel for communicating available jobs, training and other opportunities from government agencies, multinational companies and businesses to qualified constituents across the different communities.
According to him, a federal lawmaker should not limit representation to legislative activities in Abuja but should also use the office to connect constituents with opportunities available through ministries, departments and agencies of government as well as the private sector.
Mulade said his proposed approach would also involve regular consultations with residents to identify their needs and guide constituency interventions.
He listed purpose-driven representation, unity-driven representation, people-oriented representation and inclusive representation among the pillars of his proposed agenda, alongside economic empowerment, employment opportunities, and accessibility, reliability and dependability.
The candidate said the constituency’s ethnic and residential diversity should be reflected in its representation, identifying the Ijaw, Itsekiri, Urhobo and people from other parts of Nigeria living and working in Warri as stakeholders whose interests should be considered.
“Every group must have a sense of belonging,” he said, arguing that residents who contribute to the economic life of the area should have access to opportunities irrespective of their ethnic background.
On economic empowerment, Mulade said women and young people would receive particular attention under his proposed programme. He said he would seek partnerships with relevant government agencies and private-sector organisations to expand access to employment, skills acquisition and other economic opportunities.
He also linked his proposed economic measures to the broader development challenges facing the constituency, including unemployment and the need to create opportunities outside the traditional political cycle.
The NDP candidate further said he would pursue legislative advocacy on infrastructure and economic projects affecting Warri, including efforts relating to the development of the area’s maritime potential. He has previously said he would seek the revival of the Warri and Koko seaports and the Warri Industrial Park if elected.
Environmental concerns also featured in his presentation, with Mulade drawing on his background as an environmental rights advocate to argue for stronger attention to pollution and other challenges affecting oil-producing communities.
He said his decision to seek elective office was partly informed by the need to take issues he had pursued through advocacy into the legislative process.
Mulade’s presentation also included a commitment to making his proposed constituency office accessible to residents and accountable for the implementation of his campaign promises.
The engagement came as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, with candidates outlining programmes and seeking public support for their respective bids.
