Bende Leaders Support Deputy Speaker Kalu for 2027 Election

Stakeholders from the Umunna bloc in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, are backing the re-election of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, for 2027. Mr Kalu is aiming for a third term in the House of Representatives.

The stakeholders gathered at a solidarity rally in Bende, the council headquarters of Bende LGA, on Tuesday. They stated that there is no zoning agreement in the area and that the people will not “replace experience with experiment in 2027.”

The endorsement was led by the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for Bende North State Constituency, Orji Udeagha. He said Bende has enjoyed “quality representation” since Mr Kalu was elected. “We cannot substitute the man with the gavel for a greenhorn. We have seen quality representation, and we will not trade our gold for ashes,” he said.

Mr Udeagha pointed out that fairness supports Mr Kalu’s return to the House of Representatives in 2027. He explained that the Umunna bloc held the seat for 16 years, from the late Mba Aja to Nnenna Ukeje. He believes it is only fair that the Ikwuishi bloc is allowed to complete a similar duration through the Deputy Speaker.

He added that Mr Kalu has outperformed all past representatives from Bende and needs support to continue his work. “This is the first time Bende is seeing this level of representation. We cannot afford to go back,” Mr Udeagha stated.

Gabriel Okereke-Elendu, a former chairman of Bende LGA, rejected the idea of a two-term zoning agreement. “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.

Mr Okereke-Elendu mentioned that if any agreement existed, Mrs Ukeje, whom he considers his sister, would not have served for 12 years. He believes any future zoning decision should be made after Mr Kalu completes 12 years, in consultation with stakeholders.

Other speakers joined in, including another former Bende LGA chairman, Emmanuel Onwuchekwa; APC Women Leader Ijeoma Anyaele; Ndubisi Anyim; Chidebere Okoh; and Benson Uwakwe. They all agreed that no rotational agreement exists and promised full support for Mr Kalu.

They emphasized that Bende needs continuity and influence at the national level. They listed Mr Kalu’s achievements, such as road construction in all wards across Bende. The stakeholders also noted that Mr Kalu had brought two federal institutions to the area in one legislative year.

Other projects mentioned included rural electrification, youth employment in federal organizations, and various empowerment programs. The leaders said these efforts have delivered the benefits of democracy to the Bende people. They declared that Bende would stand with experience, performance, and national relevance.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the rally ended with a decision to mobilize in large numbers for Mr Kalu’s return in 2027.