With the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) signalling the commencement of political activities ahead of the 2027 general election, the race for the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives is beginning to take shape.
Among those seeking to represent their constituencies is Terver Atsar, who emerged earlier this year as the consensus candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
For Atsar, the decision to contest is not simply a political ambition. He described it as a deliberate response to what he sees as the need for more effective, accountable and people-centred representation for the people of Kwande and Ushongo.
“My emergence was neither accidental nor casual,” Atsar said, explaining that his candidacy followed a conscious decision by stakeholders to present what he described as a capable hand for the job.
In an exclusive interview with BusinessDay, Atsar said he believed the 2027 election provides the people of Kwande/Ushongo with an opportunity to make a different choice and chart what he calls a “New Direction” anchored on development, inclusion and responsive leadership.
Atsar comes into the contest with more than 25 years of professional experience as an engineer, much of it in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
His career, he says, has exposed him to complex technical and operational challenges requiring discipline, sound judgement, resilience and problem-solving skills.
He believes that those experiences are transferable to public service, particularly in a legislative environment where effective representation requires the ability to understand complex issues, engage institutions and pursue practical solutions.
Born and raised in the rural community of Mbakever, Mbagwaza in Ushongo Local Government Area, Atsar says he experienced poverty and neglect firsthand.
That experience, he explains, has given him a personal understanding of the challenges confronting ordinary families in rural communities. He points to the difficulties faced by families, farmers, young people and other vulnerable members of society, saying his desire to improve their circumstances is rooted not merely in political promises but in his own life story.
“I know what it means to grow up without many of the opportunities that others take for granted,” he said.
For Atsar, that background has strengthened his conviction that leadership should be about creating opportunities and improving lives rather than occupying public office for its own sake.
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A record of community engagement
The ADC candidate also points to interventions and community development initiatives he has supported over the years, despite never having held elective public office.
According to him, his involvement in initiatives relating to infrastructure and social development demonstrates a longstanding commitment to the wellbeing of people in the constituency.
He argues that leadership should be measured by service and impact, rather than by titles or political positions.
A central argument in Atsar’s campaign is the need to strengthen the voice of Kwande/Ushongo at the federal level.
He says the constituency has not received the level of effective representation and federal opportunities it deserves, and believes this has contributed to persistent development challenges across its communities.
His proposed response is to pursue stronger advocacy for federal projects, programmes and policies capable of delivering tangible benefits to constituents.
Among his priorities are improved infrastructure, stronger educational opportunities, youth and women empowerment, better support for farmers and entrepreneurs, and increased access to federal intervention programmes.
He says honesty, integrity and transparency — principles he says have guided his professional career — would form the foundation of his approach to public service.
Atsar is presenting the 2027 contest as a choice between maintaining the status quo and embracing a new approach to representation.
He urged voters to consider competence, service and vision as key factors in choosing their next representative, rather than relying solely on the politics of the past.
“This is our moment to take a bold step towards a brighter future for Kwande/Ushongo,” he said.
His message to constituents is straightforward: “The constituency can demand more from its representative and pursue a model of leadership built around inclusion, accountability and measurable development.”
As the political contest gathers momentum, Atsar is seeking the support, prayers and trust of the people of Kwande/Ushongo, promising to make their interests the centre of his legislative agenda.
His campaign is built around a simple call: ‘People First. A New Direction. Effective Representation’.
For Atsar, the ultimate goal is to make Kwande/Ushongo a model of effective representation in Nigeria’s Green Chamber, one where the voices of the people are heard and their interests are pursued with determination.
