Igbere Traditional Rulers Council has appealed to the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, to withdraw from the 2027 House of Representatives race for Bende Federal Constituency and honour an alleged political agreement between the Ikwuisi and Umunna blocs.
The traditional rulers made the appeal on Wednesday during an engagement with Kalu in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
The council, led by His Royal Majesty, Eze Joseph Ukaoha Anyanta, the Enyi Ezeji of Ibinaukwu Igbere, said the meeting provided an opportunity to restate its position on the agreement concerning the rotation of representation in the constituency.
Eze Anyanta, who said he was present at an earlier meeting held at the palace of HRH Eze Patrick Ude, affirmed that discussions on the arrangement had taken place.
“We cannot say we are not aware of the discussion and agreement so far. I was part of the traditional rulers who met at the palace of Eze Patrick Ude, and I can confirm that there was an agreement,” he said.
He urged Kalu to reconsider his ambition, stressing that there was still sufficient time for him to step aside and allow a candidate from the Umunna bloc, specifically Dr. Chimaobi Anyaso of the Labour Party, to represent the constituency in 2027.
“It is not too late to withdraw from the race and allow our son from Umunna to represent the people of Bende Federal Constituency come 2027,” the traditional ruler said.
The council stressed that honouring political agreements was crucial to preserving peace, unity and mutual understanding among the various communities and blocs in Bende.
The traditional rulers also called for continued respect for agreements reached by stakeholders, saying such commitments remained essential to sustaining harmonious relations across the constituency.
