Early Life and Education
Born on June 4, 1958 in Bayelsa State, Marie Enenimiete Ebikake built her foundation in education with a First School Leaving Certificate (FSLC), West African Senior School Certificate (WASC), and a National Diploma—qualifications that equipped her for both administrative and political roles ahead voter.ng.
Stepping into Public Service: Commissioner for Transportation
In 2012, Ebikake was appointed Commissioner for Transportation in Governor Seriake Dickson’s cabinet. Over three years, she worked to improve road networks and public transport in Bayelsa State. Her tenure ended in 2015 amid allegations she had opposed the governor’s re-election through the PDP Unity Group—an episode that tested her resilience but did not deter her political ambitions Wikipedia.
First Bid for National Office and Legal Challenge
With her state-level experience behind her, Ebikake contested the Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency seat in the 2019 House of Representatives elections on the PDP ticket. She lost to APC’s Israel Sunny-Goli (41,150 to her 19,279 votes) and pursued an election petition through the tribunal and Appeal Court. Though her petition was dismissed for lack of documentary evidence, the process deepened her understanding of Nigeria’s electoral laws and fueled her resolve Wikipediavoter.ng.
Triumph and Fresh Mandate in 2023
Undeterred by earlier defeat, Ebikake ran again in 2023 and narrowly unseated the incumbent to become the first-term Member of the 10th House of Representatives for Brass/Nembe Federal Constituency. Her victory marked both personal redemption and a boost for women’s representation from Bayelsa State Wikipedia.
Legislative Role and Focus Areas
In Abuja, Hon. Ebikake serves as Deputy Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs, where she advocates for measures that support women and girls nationwide. She has also contributed to debates on transportation infrastructure, building on her commissioner background to push for safer roads and improved mobility in rural areas Instagramthegreenchamber.ng.
Key Achievements and Initiatives
- Flood Relief Mobilization: Lauded national and state leaders for donations to flood-affected families, helping coordinate relief efforts in her constituency Wikipedia.
- Women’s Affairs Advocacy: Advanced policy proposals for vocational training and micro-credit schemes targeting women entrepreneurs.
- Constituency Engagement: Holds quarterly town halls to collect feedback on local transport needs and women’s empowerment priorities.
A Role Model for the 35% Project
Marie Ebikake’s journey—from state commissioner to federal lawmaker—illustrates how persistence, expertise, and community focus can break barriers in Nigeria’s political landscape. As The 35% Project tracks progress toward gender parity, her career offers a clear example of both the challenges women face and the impact they can achieve when given the opportunity.