Two Terms Enough, Bende Stakeholders Press Kalu to Step Down in 2027 Elections

A coalition of stakeholders from various political parties in Bende Local Government Area, Abia State, Nigeria, has publicly refuted claims that Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has been endorsed for a third term. The group, comprising members from the PDP, APC, LP, ADC, and other parties, met on Saturday, August 1, 2026, to issue a communique rejecting the endorsement.

They described the group that issued the endorsement, calling itself the "Bende Forum" and led by Dr. P.C. Mba, as an "impersonation" and "self-serving." The stakeholders argued that the claim of endorsement was an attempt to cause trouble and disrupt the peace within the local government area.

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A few people from Bende will come and cause trouble in Bende local government. We will not accept that. That is why we came together as Ndi Bende to counter that illegal press statement that has been flying for the past few days.

This rejection comes after the "Bende Forum" had, on July 28, 2026, endorsed Kalu for a third term, citing "equity and justice" and denying any binding rotation agreement for the House of Representatives seat between Bende North and Bende South. The forum's leader, Mba, had argued that since Bende North held the seat for 12 years, Bende South, currently represented by Kalu, should be allowed another term.

In response, the Mayor of Bende, Deacon Bassey Uwabunkeonye, convened the multi-party meeting. He stressed the importance of sustaining peace in Bende, especially amid the "transformative, developmental strides" of Governor Alex Chioma Otti. The communique, read by former LGA Chairman Hon. Ukwu Rocks Emma, further detailed the history of the "Bende Forum," stating it had become moribund due to politicization and that the current group attempting to revive it was not the original body.

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It is therefore shocking to see a one-time secretary of the Bende Forum with a group of supporters of their candidate masquerade as members of Bende Forum. We take exception to this impersonation … and we dissociate ourselves from it. We ask the public to disregard it.