2027: Bende stakeholders back Deputy Speaker Kalu, deny zoning agreement

Stakeholders from the Umunna bloc in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, have declared their support for Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu’s bid for a third term in the House of Representatives.
They maintained that no zoning agreement exists in the constituency and insisted that the people would not “replace experience with experiment” in the 2027 general elections.
The position was unanimously adopted on Tuesday during a solidarity rally held in Bende Local Government Area, where party leaders, stakeholders, and supporters gathered to endorse Kalu’s re-election.
Leading the endorsement, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Bende North State Constituency, Chief Orji Udeagha, said the constituency had enjoyed quality representation under Kalu.
“We cannot substitute the man with the gavel with a greenhorn. We have seen quality representation, and we will not trade our gold for ashes,” he said.
Udeagha argued that equity favours Kalu’s return to the House of Representatives.
He noted that the Umunna bloc occupied the seat for 16 consecutive years through the late Chief Mba Aja and former lawmaker Nnenna Ukeje.
According to him, it is only fair that the Ikwuishi bloc be allowed to complete a similar tenure through the Deputy Speaker.
He added that Kalu has surpassed the performance of all previous representatives from the constituency.
“This is the first time Bende is witnessing this level of representation. We cannot afford to go back,” Udeagha added.
Former Chairman of Bende Local Government Area, Chief Gabriel Okereke-Elendu, dismissed claims that there was a two-term zoning arrangement in the constituency.
“When somebody comes today to talk about agreements, it baffles me.
“We have asked them to produce it, but nobody has produced even a sheet of paper,” he said.
Okereke-Elendu argued that if such an agreement existed, Ukeje, whom he described as his sister, would not have served for 12 years.
He maintained that any future zoning arrangement should only be considered after Kalu completes 12 years in office and following consultations with stakeholders.
Other speakers, including former Bende LGA Chairman Emmanuel Onwuchekwa, APC Women Leader Mrs Ijeoma Anyaele, and stakeholders Ndubisi Anyim, Chidebere Okoh, and Benson Uwakwe, echoed the same position.
They affirmed that no rotational agreement exists in the constituency and pledged their total support for Kalu’s re-election.
The leaders also advised Labour Party candidate Chimaobi Anyaso to step aside and support the Deputy Speaker, saying Bende needs continuity and sustained national influence.
They listed Kalu’s achievements to include road construction across all wards in Bende.
The stakeholders also said Kalu attracted two federal institutions to the local government area within a single legislative year.
Other projects cited included rural electrification, youth employment in federal agencies, and various empowerment programmes.
According to them, these interventions have delivered the dividends of democracy to the people of Bende.
They further stressed that Kalu’s position as Deputy Speaker gives the constituency a unique advantage in attracting development and national relevance.
The rally concluded with a unanimous resolution to mobilise massive support for Kalu’s re-election in 2027.