By Steve Oko
The third-term ambition of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, may face a fresh political challenge following the reaffirmation of a 2019 zoning agreement by traditional rulers in Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State.
More than 27 traditional rulers from communities across the constituency gathered in Igbere on Friday to publicly present the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), insisting that the agreement, which provides for the rotation of the House of Representatives seat between the Umunna and Ikwu-Isii blocs, remained valid.
The monarchs said the arrangement was designed to promote fairness, equitable representation and peaceful coexistence between the two blocs.
Under the agreement, Bende South, comprising the Ikwu-Isii bloc, was to occupy the seat for two consecutive four-year terms beginning with the 2019 electoral cycle, after which the opportunity would rotate to Bende North, comprising Umunna.
Reading the document before journalists, HRH Eze Ebiri Oteri Okoro of Ohumola Autonomous Community, Igbere, said the agreement was founded on the principles of fairness, justice, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence.
Article 3 of the MoU states that the Bende Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives “shall rotate equitably” between Bende North (Umunna) and Bende South (Ikwu-Isii).
Article 4 stipulates that the arrangement took effect from the 2019 electoral cycle, with Ikwu-Isii having the first opportunity to occupy the seat.
The document further provides that the bloc occupying the seat should have the opportunity to serve two consecutive four-year terms, subject to the Constitution, electoral laws, party processes and the decision of the electorate.
“Upon completion of the two-term tenure, the opportunity shall rotate to Bende North (Umunna),” the agreement states, adding that no individual, community or political party should regard the seat as its permanent entitlement.
The MoU also urges political parties to respect the spirit of the agreement in their nomination processes.
However, it recognises the constitutional right of every qualified citizen to contest elections and the right of voters to choose their representatives.
Umunna comprises Item, Igbere, Alayi and Ugwueke/Ezeukwu communities, while Ikwu-Isii comprises Bende, Itumbuzo, Umuhu-Ezechi, Ozuitem, Uzuakoli and Umuimenyi/Nkpa communities.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the agreement’s emergence, one of its signatories and Deputy Chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Uwakwe Ukaegbu, said it was reached in 2019 following disagreements over what he described as Umunna’s prolonged occupation of the federal constituency seat.
Ukaegbu said the agreement became necessary when former representative, Hon. Nnenna Ujaeje, from Umunna, sought a fourth term, an ambition that reportedly generated opposition from Ikwu-Isii stakeholders who felt their bloc had been marginalised.
He added that Kalu, who was then seeking election to represent the constituency on the platform of Ikwu-Isii, welcomed the agreement and pledged to relinquish the seat after two terms if elected.
The monarch said the public presentation of the document was intended to address claims that no such agreement had been signed.
He challenged anyone disputing its existence to produce evidence to the contrary, insisting that he would stand by the truth regardless of whose interests might be affected.
Ukaegbu also cautioned political aspirants and their supporters against allowing personal ambitions to threaten peace in Bende, stressing that the collective interest of the constituency should take precedence over individual political calculations.
Speaking on behalf of the other traditional rulers, HRM Eze Joseph Ukoha Anyanta commended the promoters of the agreement, describing the arrangement as a demonstration of foresight that could strengthen mutual trust and peaceful coexistence between the two blocs.
He urged politicians to honour the pact, stressing that it was not designed to target any individual but to promote fairness in the distribution of political representation.
Other signatories to the MoU included HRM Eze Jerry Akpala Igwe and HRM Eze Uwakwe Ukaegbu for Umunna, and HRM Eze Patrick Ude and HRM Eze J.O. Akaliro, a former chairman of the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers, for Ikwu-Isii.
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