By: Titus Akor, Makurdi.
Former Chairman of Gwer West Local Government Council, Hon. Andrew Ayande, has hailed the mega empowerment programme and other interventions of the member representing Gwer East/Gwer West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Arc. Dr. Asema Achado Asema, describing them as unprecedented in the history of the constituency.
Ayande spoke against the backdrop of Achado’s thanksgiving Mass, inauguration of his 2027 campaign directorates and flag-off of a mega empowerment programme for constituents in Aliade, Gwer East Local Government Area.
He said the scale of the empowerment programme, which includes the distribution of HiJet vans, power tillers, deep freezers, industrial sewing machines and Bajaj motorcycles, demonstrated Achado’s commitment to improving the economic wellbeing of youths, women and small business owners across Gwer East and Gwer West.
Ayande said Achado’s interventions had made his name resonate strongly among constituents, citing the lawmaker’s performance in education, agriculture, employment, security and infrastructure.
“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.
He said 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 constituents.
According to him, the latest empowerment programme further demonstrated that Achado’s representation was focused on initiatives capable of improving the livelihoods of constituents.
Ayande also urged beneficiaries of the empowerment items to use them judiciously and resist the temptation to sell 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.
The former council chairman said Achado’s record had positioned him strongly ahead of the 2027 election, declaring that his re-election bid would be a “walkover” based on his assessment of the lawmaker’s performance.
Achado had earlier 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.
He charged the campaign teams to build effective ward structures and maintain regular engagement with the grassroots, while urging supporters to avoid insults, personal attacks and disparaging remarks against political opponents.
The lawmaker said the campaign should focus on his programmes, record of service and proposed agenda for the constituency.
The thanksgiving Mass 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.
