Traditional rulers in Bende Federal Constituency of Abia State have distanced themselves from a document circulating on social media as a purported 2019 agreement on the rotation of the constituency’s seat in the House of Representatives.
The document, which has featured in discussions surrounding political representation in the constituency ahead of the 2027 general elections, purportedly outlines an eight-year rotation arrangement between Bende North and Bende South.
It reportedly bears the names of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and some traditional rulers from the two political blocs.
However, the Director-General of the Benjamin Kalu Movement (BKM), Hon. Emmanuel Trumps Eke, has denied signing the document, stating that neither he nor Kalu endorsed the purported agreement.
In a disclaimer, Eke said he had become aware of the document, which was being circulated as a proposal on representation and rotation in Bende Federal Constituency.
“I wish to state categorically that neither I, nor my Principal, signed any such document,” he said.
Eke also questioned the dates appearing on the documents associated with the purported arrangement, noting differences in the dates and raising questions about the sequence of events described.
He further stated that the format of the document differed from what he expected of an official communication from the traditional rulers.
According to him, the traditional rulers whose names appeared on the document had also issued separate statements distancing themselves from it.
Eke urged political stakeholders to communicate their positions on representation and rotation directly to the people of Bende and encouraged members of the public to verify documents before sharing them.
Traditional Rulers Issue Disclaimers
Among those who have publicly distanced themselves from the document is Eze Dr Patrick Ude, Isiobu I of Umuisiobu Autonomous Community in Bende Local Government Area.
Ude, whose name appeared on the document as chairman or representative of Bende South, stated in a letter dated October 9, 2026, that he was not invited to or present at any meeting where the purported agreement was discussed.
“I hereby state clearly and without ambiguity to Ndi Bende, Abia State and the general public that I was never invited to, never attended any meeting where such agreement was discussed or reached,” he said.
Ude added that he did not sign, thumbprint or witness any document concerning the rotation of the Bende Federal Constituency seat.
He said his name and office appeared in the publication without his knowledge or consent and urged the public to disregard the document insofar as it concerned him.
The traditional ruler also called for peace, equity and progress in the constituency, adding that he remained committed to maintaining cordial relations with political actors.
Similarly, Eze Jerry Akpala Igwe, Aka-ji Ofo Item of Ikwueze Okoko Item Autonomous Community in Bende LGA, issued a statement dated October 10, 2026, distancing himself from the document.
He said the signature attributed to him was not his and maintained that he had not participated in any such agreement.
“I hereby dissociate myself from the document circulating on social media, as I was not part of such a document at any point in time, and it should be discountenanced by the general public,” he said.
Also, Eze John Akaliro, Obasiukwu II of Umuonuoha, Umuibe, Ogboko Umuobasiukwu Ozuitem Autonomous Community in Bende LGA, said in a letter dated October 9, 2026, that he did not sign or witness the document bearing his name.
“The document in circulation bearing my name should be discountenanced, as I did not sign or witness such a document,” he said.
The statements from the traditional rulers and Eke reflect their respective positions on the disputed document and the purported rotation arrangement.
The claims surrounding the document’s origin, authenticity and the existence of any formal agreement have not been independently established.
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