By Terdue Atondu, Makurdi
Former Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Council, Hon. Andrew Ayande, has commended the empowerment initiatives of the member representing Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Arc. Dr. Asema Achado Asema, describing the programme as unprecedented in the history of the constituency.
Ayande spoke during Achado’s thanksgiving Mass, inauguration of campaign directorates for the 2027 election and the flag-off of a mega empowerment programme for constituents at Aliade, Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State.
The empowerment programme featured the distribution of HiJet vans, power tillers, deep freezers, industrial sewing machines and Bajaj motorcycles to beneficiaries across the constituency.
Ayande said the initiative demonstrated Achado’s commitment to improving the economic wellbeing of youths, women and small business owners in Gwer East and Gwer West.
He also commended the lawmaker’s interventions in education, agriculture, employment, security and infrastructure, saying they had strengthened his connection with constituents.
“If you ask me in the morning, I will say Achado and Zam; in the afternoon, Achado and Zam; in the evening, Achado and Zam; and at night, Achado and Zam. This is because of his effective representation and the impact both duo has made in their constituency,” Ayande said.
According to him, Achado’s establishment of a National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Study Centre in Aliade, scholarship initiatives, support for farmers, interventions in police infrastructure and efforts to improve electricity transmission had created opportunities for people across the constituency.
Ayande said the latest empowerment initiative further demonstrated what he described as Achado’s focus on programmes capable of improving the livelihoods of constituents.
He, however, urged beneficiaries to use the items productively and avoid selling them.
“I urge the beneficiaries not to sell these vehicles and other items. They should use them judiciously and productively so that the name of Achado will continue to be remembered for the opportunities he has created for them,” he said.
On the 2027 election, Ayande said, based on his assessment of Achado’s record, the lawmaker’s re-election bid would be a “walkover.”
Earlier, Achado inaugurated campaign directorates for Gwer East and Gwer West, appointing Dr. Atime Moses and Hon. Christopher Tyokaa as Directors-General for the two local government areas respectively.
The lawmaker charged members of the campaign teams to build effective ward structures and sustain regular engagement with the grassroots.
He also urged his supporters to avoid insults, personal attacks and disparaging comments against political opponents.
Achado said the campaign should be centred on his programmes, record of service and proposed agenda for the constituency.
The thanksgiving Mass, campaign inauguration and empowerment flag-off attracted traditional rulers, political and community leaders, youth and women groups, support groups and other stakeholders from across the constituency and Benue State.
