“2027 Belongs To Bende North” – Bende Traditional Rulers Urge Ben Kalu To Honour Rotation Agreement, Step Aside

“Eze Ukaegbu Says Monarchs Signed Document To Return Reps Seat To Umunna Bloc After 8 Years”

Traditional rulers in Bende Federal Constituency have reignited the debate on power rotation, demanding that the House of Representatives seat be returned to Bende North, Umunna Bloc in 2027, in line with what they described as a signed agreement reached years ago.

The demand was made during a courtesy visit by the Labour Party’s candidate for Bende Federal Constituency, Dr. Chima Anyaso, to the palace of HRH Eze Uwakwe Ukaegbu of Igbere, who also serves as the 3rd Deputy Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers.

Eze Ukaegbu, speaking as a witness to the arrangement, said the monarchs of Bende had collectively agreed that Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu’s tenure would run for two terms of 8 years, after which the seat would rotate back to Bende North.

“I was part of the signing of the document. I signed the agreement. Eze Akaliro, Patrick Ude—we were four that signed the agreement as leaders of the traditional rulers representing the 65 monarchs in Bende,” the monarch declared.

He insisted that the traditional institution remains committed to the understanding, stressing that honouring agreements is critical to sustaining trust in leadership.

“It is a reminder that leadership is not only about occupying office but also about keeping one’s word. In every society, agreements survive because honour survives. The day agreements become disposable is the day trust becomes extinct.”

In a moment that drew both attention and murmurs, the royal father admitted he was still searching for his personal copy of the agreement.

“I have been looking for my own copy, and I know that I will get the document soon.”

He however maintained that the absence of the physical document does not erase the memory of those who signed it.

“Perhaps the physical document is temporarily missing, but the memory of those who signed it certainly is not. After all, documents may disappear into drawers, but truth has an uncanny way of resurfacing when the time is right.”

Eze Ukaegbu said the message from Bende’s custodians of tradition ahead of 2027 is clear: “respect the covenant”.

He urged the current occupant of the seat, Deputy Speaker Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, to consider legacy over tenure extension.

“For Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the path to an enduring legacy may not lie in extending a tenure that has fulfilled its agreed course. Sometimes, the loudest applause in politics is reserved not for those who refuse to leave the stage, but for those who know exactly when to take a graceful bow.”

The statement has thrown fresh light on a conversation many believed had been shelved, raising questions about internal zoning arrangements within Bende ahead of the 2027 general elections.

As political activities gather momentum, stakeholders say the position of the traditional rulers could shape alignments and endorsements in the federal constituency.