2027: Bende South Traditional Rulers Endorse Ben Kalu’s Third-Term Bid, Reject Zoning Claims

The Bende South State Constituency (Ikwuisi) Traditional Rulers Council has thrown its full weight behind the third-term re-election bid of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, dismissing insinuations of a zoning arrangement for the Bende Federal Constituency seat as baseless.

The royal fathers made their position known at a meeting with the Deputy Speaker, led by the Council Chairman, Eze Uchendu Okorie, Ekwo II of Akaekwo Uzuakoli, Bende.

Speaking on behalf of the council, Eze Okorie commended Kalu’s representation and development record, describing the constituency’s support as unanimous.

“We are fully supporting you. All of us here, in one voice, are saying you should go for a third term. We are solidly behind you because you have done well and we are proud of you,” he said.

The monarchs commended Kalu’s legislative performance, his delivery of constituency projects, and what they described as effective representation of Bende’s interests at the national level.

Addressing the zoning question head-on, Eze Onyegbu, one of the monarchs present, insisted no such arrangement has ever governed the Bende Federal Constituency seat. He noted that Kalu’s record spanning constituency projects, oversight functions, and his ability to draw federal presence to Bende sets him apart from his predecessors.

“The issue of zoning has always been distorted. Of all those who have represented Bende in the House of Representatives, none has surpassed what Benjamin Kalu has done. We are proud of him and will take his message to our people,” Eze Onyegbu said.

With this endorsement, the traditional institution widely regarded as the moral and cultural authority of the constituency has effectively moved to shut down zoning-based opposition ahead of the next election cycle, signaling growing grassroots consolidation around Kalu’s candidacy as Bende’s political conversation intensifies.