By Seyi Odewale
The Bende Traditional Council has urged the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, to reconsider his reported ambition to seek a third term in the House and respect an alleged rotational arrangement for the Bende Federal Constituency seat.
The call was made by the Enyi Ezeji Ibinaukwu Igbere, HRH Eze Joseph Anyanta, during Kalu’s visit to his palace, where the Deputy Speaker reportedly discussed his political plans ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The traditional ruler reportedly reminded Kalu of an understanding allegedly reached in 2019 among political and traditional stakeholders on the rotation of the constituency seat.
Eze Anyanta said he was personally present at the palace of Eze Patrick Ude when the arrangement was reached and urged Kalu to allow the seat to return to Umunna in 2027.
He also advised the Deputy Speaker to reconvene the stakeholders who participated in the 2019 discussions and present his reported third-term ambition to them for consideration.
Former Abia State Governor and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, was among the political leaders reportedly involved in the earlier discussions.
The intervention has introduced a fresh dimension into the emerging political contest in Bende, with zoning, equity and political succession expected to become major issues ahead of the 2027 elections.
A Bende stakeholder, Emenike Okorie, backed the traditional ruler’s position, describing the intervention as an opportunity for dialogue and political stability.
“NdI Bende have given Ben Kalu their mandate twice, and through that mandate he has risen to one of the highest legislative positions in Nigeria,” Okorie said.
He argued that Kalu’s two terms in the House and elevation to the position of Deputy Speaker constituted significant political achievements, adding that respecting a previously agreed rotation, if confirmed by the stakeholders, would reinforce confidence among the various blocs in the constituency.
“Eight years is a significant period for an elected representative to make an impact. If there was indeed an understanding that the seat should rotate after this period, the honourable thing is for all the stakeholders involved to meet again and determine the way forward in the interest of Bende,” he said.
Okorie urged Kalu to initiate consultations with traditional rulers, political leaders and other stakeholders who were reportedly part of the 2019 discussions.
He said stepping aside after two terms, if the zoning arrangement was reaffirmed, would not diminish Kalu’s political stature but could strengthen his legacy as a leader prepared to subordinate personal ambition to constituency unity.
“Third term should not become a matter of entitlement. No individual should be bigger than the constituency, and no political ambition should be allowed to undermine the peace, unity and mutual understanding of the people,” Okorie said.
He maintained that Bende had other qualified sons and daughters capable of representing the constituency, stressing that opening the political space could provide opportunities for fresh leadership and ideas.
According to him, the constituency’s priorities should include human capital development, youth empowerment, education, healthcare, employment, enterprise development and sustainable infrastructure.
“The elders are now calling for equity and asking that Umunna be allowed its turn. The wise course is to listen, consult and, where the reported agreement is confirmed, lead a peaceful transition rather than allow the issue to generate unnecessary political tension,” he said.
Okorie called for an issue-based political contest, warning that the zoning debate should not divide the constituency.
He said voluntary compliance with an established rotational arrangement should not be viewed as political defeat.
“Leadership is not only about attaining office. It is also about knowing when to make room for others. If Ben Kalu respects the zoning understanding and supports a peaceful return of the seat to Umunna in 2027, history may remember that decision not as defeat, but as statesmanship,” Okorie said.
