John Nwaigwe
Ndi Eze Bende Tell Ben Kalu: Respect the Zoning Agreement and Return the Seat to Umunna
By Emenike Okorie
The Voice of Elders Is the Voice of Wisdom
The message from the palace of HRH Eze Joseph Anyanta (Enyi Ezeji Ibinaukwu Igbere), to Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu is one that every responsible son of Bende should listen to carefully.
During Ben Kalu’s visit to the royal father’s palace to seek his support for a third term, the traditional ruler reminded him of the zoning understanding reportedly reached in 2019 and advised him to respect that agreement by allowing the Bende Federal Constituency seat to return to Umunna in 2027.
The royal father did not speak out of hearsay. He stated that he was personally present at the palace of Eze Patrick Ude in 2019 when the agreement was reached. He therefore advised Ben Kalu to reconvene the stakeholders who participated in that process, including Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, who was also reportedly present, and openly discuss his current third-term ambition with them.
That is the voice of wisdom.
That is the voice of experience.
And that is the voice of elders who understand the importance of peace, equity and political stability in Bende.
Ben Kalu should listen.
There is still time to avoid unnecessary political tension. There is still time to demonstrate statesmanship by honouring the understanding upon which political peace and mutual trust have rested.
Ben Kalu should not allow ego, ambition or the desire to remain in office indefinitely to overshadow his sense of reason and judgment.
Ndi Bende have given him their mandate twice. They gave him the opportunity to represent them, and through that platform, he rose to become the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives—a remarkable political elevation.
For that reason, the appropriate response now should be gratitude, humility and statesmanship.
Eight years is a significant period for any elected representative to make a lasting impact.
After two terms, it is only reasonable to allow another son of Bende to take his turn, particularly if there is a longstanding zoning understanding that supports such rotation.
If Ben Kalu voluntarily steps aside in 2027 and supports the return of the seat to Umunna, he will not be diminished. On the contrary, he will demonstrate that his political legacy is bigger than one office or one election.
He will leave office as a man who understood that leadership is not merely about occupying a position; it is also about knowing when to make room for others.
And if the people eventually decide that his time has come to an end, there should be no bitterness. He has already achieved considerable political prominence through the mandate entrusted to him by Ndi Bende.
He should therefore be grateful to Ndi Bende and grateful to God for the opportunities that public service has brought his way.
Third term should not become a matter of entitlement.
No individual should be bigger than the constituency.
No ambition should be greater than the peace and unity of Bende.
No political interest should supersede an agreement reached by stakeholders for the sake of equity and peaceful rotation.
Bende has many capable sons and daughters.
It is therefore time to give another son of Bende the opportunity to prove his mettle and provide purposeful representation anchored on human capital development, youth empowerment, quality education, accessible healthcare, economic opportunities and sustainable infrastructure.
Ben Kalu has had his opportunity.
He has served two terms.
He has risen to one of the highest legislative positions in Nigeria.
Now, the elders are saying: let Umunna have its turn.
The wise thing to do is not to fight the tide, but to lead the transition.
Ben Kalu should listen to the voice of the elders.
He should respect the zoning understanding.
He should support the return of the Bende Federal Constituency seat to Umunna in 2027.
That is not defeat.
That is statesmanship.
