Boniface Okoro in Umuahia
There seems to be a sharp division among the people of Bende Local Government Area of Abia State over the third term ambition of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and the controversy surrounding the zoning of the Bende federal constituency seat between Bende North and Bende South.
The division came to the fore following two conflicting positions by groups claiming to speak for Bende. While one group, ‘Bende Forum’, endorsed Kalu for a third term on July 28, 2026, another group, ‘Bende Critical Stakeholders’, on August 1, 2026, disowned the endorsement and accused those behind it of impersonation.
Convening the stakeholders’ meeting in Umuahia, the Mayor of Bende, Deacon Bassey Uwabunkeonye, said the gathering became necessary “to counter the flying statement” and sustain peace in the area.
“Those in this gathering are all Bende people from different political parties-PDP, APC, ADC, NDC, and Labour. We won’t be there, and then a few people will come and cause trouble in Bende. We will not accept that,” Uwabunkeonye said.
Reading the communique, a former Bende LGA Chairman, Chief Ukwu Rocks Emma, said the original Bende Forum, which had Chief Emma Umokwe as its chairman and Chief P.C. Mba as its Secretary, “withered at the end of the Orji Uzor Kalu administration” and has remained moribund since.
“It is therefore shocking to see a one-time secretary of the Bende Forum with a group of supporters of their candidate masquerading as members of the Bende Forum. Which Bende Forum? The one led by B.N. Nmeregini or a phantom one?” he queried.
The stakeholders dissociated themselves from the endorsement, saying: “No Bende Forum has adopted Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu or any other candidate.” They urged the public to disregard the statement.
On the zoning debate, the communique said: “The issue of zoning or no zoning, which they also dabbled into, should take the back seat as it concerns the said House of Representatives seat for Bende. Let those who renege on agreements, if any, live with their conscience.”
The stakeholders called on anyone interested in the seat to “march forward with their credentials,” adding: “Enough of bickering and dwelling on things that can only divide us. Bende is one!”
Speaking at the post-meeting interview, a PDP faithful, Mr. Friday Chinedu, said a third term was “ungodly.” He cited a 2019 agreement reached at the palace of the chairman of the Traditional Rulers Council in Bende for the seat to rotate between North and South after eight years.
“Once you are given eight years, I think it is enough for anybody to do something. Coming back for the third term without the consent of the people of Bende is absolutely wrong and unacceptable,” he said.
Also speaking, the 2023 APC candidate for Bende North, Hon. Anyim Jona Eke, said he was part of the 2019 meeting where the rotation agreement was reached. “The constitution gave him the right to contest. But the truth of the matter, there is an arrangement in Bende that he has to step down for the next person from the other constituency.
“I support him to step down because there is an arrangement in Bende between the two state constituencies,” he said.
However, the group that endorsed Kalu dismissed claims of any binding rotation agreement. Addressing journalists on July 28, the Chairman of ‘
‘Bende Forum’, Chief P.C. Mba, said: “Bende federal constituency, as a people, has never sat anywhere at any time to discuss, adopt and sign any agreement on rotation. Whoever alleges must prove it by producing the document.”
Mba argued that Bende North, through former lawmaker, Hon. Nnenna Ukeje, occupied the seat for 12 years, while Bende South, represented by Kalu, is currently serving its second term. He said allowing Kalu a third term would ensure “equity and justice” by giving Bende South the same 12-year span.
“Given the verifiable and enviable legislative, infrastructural and human capital development records of our present representative, we categorically endorse his re-election to complete the circle of three terms of 12 years as their Umunna counterpart for equity and justice,” Mba said.
The disagreement has deepened the political tension in Bende as 2027 approaches, with both sides insisting they speak for the collective interest of the constituency.