The Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency seat shifts between the two local area councils of Kwande and Ushongo. Kwande has two sides, that is; Kwande East and Kwande West, while Ushongo also has two, namely; Mbagwa and Mata.
The present fourth republic commenced in 1999, and Kwande local council won representative seat 5 times. Such include Rep. Moses Gbande (1999), Rep. Benjamin Aboho (2011), Rep. Benjamin Wayo (2015), Rep. Robert Tyough (2019) and Rep. Terseer Ugbor (2023). Ushongo won only twice, that is, Rep. Terfa Atii (2003) and Rep. Chile Igbawua (2007). Obviously, Ushongo has a deficit of 3 terms, and that is why it is to produce the next Representative for Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency. Somebody from the Kwande area council has no business contesting as Representative for Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency in 2027.
In Ushongo, Mbagwa has six council wards while Mata has five. They are Mbagwa (Lessel Township, Atirkyese, Mbaanyam, Mbakuha, Mbaawe, Mbaaka) and Mata (Mbagba, Mbagwaza, Mbayegh, Ikov, Utange).
When Nigeria commenced the presidential system of government in 1979, that was the second republic, Kwande and Ushongo had two distinct federal constituencies known as Kwande East federal constituency and Kwande West federal constituency respectively. Ushongo produced Rep. Kundu Swem (1979) from Mbaanyam council ward, Mbagwa side. The chance went to Rep. Joe Ichull (1983) from Mbagba council ward, Mata side.
In the third republic, Kwande and Ushongo maintained their federal constituencies. Rep. Jonathan Nege (1992) from Mbagwaza council ward, Mata side, was in the lower chamber.
For the current fourth republic, Rep. Terfa Atii (2003) from Mbayegh council ward, Mata side, was in the green chamber. The slot went to the Mbagwa side, and Rep. Chile Igbawua (2007) from Atirkyese council ward represented.
So far, Mata has won representative opportunities three times. It was Rep. Joe Ichull, Rep. Jonathan Nege and Rep. Terfa Atii. Mbagwa has done so twice, and they are Rep. Kundu Swem and Rep. Chile Igbawua. It clearly shows that Mbagwa has one term to make up.
Prof. Shadrach Kohol Iornem from the Mbagwa side has emerged as the All Progressives Congress (APC) representative candidate for Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency. All the eligible voters in Kwande and Ushongo should give him block votes during the forthcoming 2027 general elections. We deserve the best.
Donald Gaadi, a public affairs analyst, writes from Abuja, FCT.
