“I Refused To Go To The Senate Because of Orji Kalu, I can’t Contest Against Him As A Mark Of Honour”, — Benjamin Kalu

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu has revealed that he did not contest the Abia North Senatorial Zone in the 2027 election because of the respect he has for the incumbent senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, who who described as his senior.

Kalu made the revelation on Monday during a stakeholders engagement in Umuhu Ezechi Ward of Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.

Speaking at the event which was attended by Presidents-General, party faithful and constituents, the Deputy Speaker, he was consulted to run for Senate in 2027 but he rejected the offer because of his respect for Senator Orji Uzor Kalu.

“We were asked to run for the senate, but I said no, I didn’t want to contest against Orji Kalu as a mark of honour. I won’t contest against him because of his person”, he said.

His comment is coming on the heels of renewed calls for him to respect alleged agreement by traditional rulers in Bende to share elective political office between the Umunna and Ikwuisii blocs of Bende Federal Constituency.

“Nobody from Ikwuisii is running for the senate, We were asked to go for the senate and leave the House of Representatives for them but because of Orji Kalu we let go, as a mark of honour”.

“They should reciprocate the respect we gave to them. They want to have everything. Are we all not from Bende? Are there people who are more Bende than others?”

Kalu argued that the Umunna bloc held the office of the House of Representatives through Hon. Nnenna Ukeje for three terms before the Ikwuisii block through got it back in 2019.

He said the Umunna block should as well allow their brothers in Ikwuisii to complete their three terms.

The Deputy Speaker also pointed out that the Igbere clan in Bende Local Government Area has almost all the elective offices including the senate, Orji Uzor Kalu, Deputy Chairman of Bende Local Government Area, Mrs Ngozi Anya, House of Assembly member for Bende Notht State Constituency, Nnamdi Ibekwe and then wants to have the House of Representatives for Bende Federal Constituency.

“They have the senate, the Deputy Chairman of the Local Government Area, the House of Assembly and they also want to have the House of Representatives. What is equitable is fair, what is just, is just”, he maintained

He urged opposition to consider equity and fairness in their dealings with other parts of Bende Local Government Area.