2027: Religious leaders back Kalu for re-election

…as he donates buses to monarchs

More endorsements have continued to pour in for the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and member representing Bende Federal Constituency, Hon. Benjamin Kalu ahead of the 2027 general elections, as traditional rulers and religious leaders across Bende Federal Constituency have thrown their weight behind his bid for a third term.

The latest endorsements came from the Umunna Traditional Rulers Council, comprising royal fathers from Item, Alayi, Igbere and Ezeukwu communities, as well as religious leaders from the Methodist Church during separate engagements with the Deputy Speaker on August 1.

The development comes barely days after the Bende South State Constituency (Ikwuisi) Traditional Rulers Council endorsed Hon. Kalu for re-election, while dismissing claims of an existing zoning agreement being circulated by some vested interests.

The growing support for Kalu has also been echoed by other groups across the constituency, including the Bende Political Forum, market women and commercial motorcycle operators, who have cited his legislative interventions and constituency projects as reasons for backing his return to the National Assembly.

ALSO READ: State police must serve people, not political interests — Kalu

The latest engagements formed part of Kalu’s ongoing “Meet Your Constituents” consultation, an initiative through which the Deputy Speaker has been visiting communities and stakeholder groups to give account of his stewardship, listen to their concerns and receive feedback on his representation.

At the meeting held at the palace of Eze Kalu Okorie Ezeukwu in Bende, the traditional rulers commended the Deputy Speaker for what they described as his outstanding performance in office and unanimously expressed support for his third-term bid.

Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, Eze Kalu Okorie commended Kalu for the projects and interventions he had attracted to Bende, saying the traditional institution was proud of his achievements.

Also speaking, Eze Innocent Kalu Mba described Kalu as the best legislator to have represented Bende Federal Constituency.

According to him, Kalu’s visibility and accomplishments at the National Assembly had made the people of Bende proud.

“Those of us who read the news and watch television are very proud of him. We cannot have someone who has attained what he has attained and choose to support a bench warmer. Benjamin Kalu has given Umunna dividends of democracy.

“What else are we looking for? Let us give him our maximum cooperation and support. It will be a bad thing if we lose Benjamin Kalu. He is the pride of Bende and he should return. I appeal to all our people; no one is better than Benjamin Kalu. He has built hospitals, schools and roads. My fellow rulers, let us support our son. He is the only one who has done something for us,” he said.

The monarchs also dismissed insinuations that an agreement existed to zone the Bende Federal Constituency seat away from Kalu, insisting that their position was based on his performance and the development he had attracted to the constituency.

Responding, Kalu thanked the traditional rulers and clergy for their confidence, support and continued belief in his representation.

He said the endorsement was a validation that his decision to seek another term was in line with the wishes of his constituents.

“We are heading somewhere. You made the right decision sending me to the House of Representatives to represent you. I am grateful and glad I made you proud. The fruit is showing. Look at the projects I have attracted. More are coming. I love Bende. I love my people.

“Do you know what it means to bring two federal institutions to one local government? It is happening in your time. Each of those institutions will employ nothing less than 3,000 people. It will bring development,” Kalu said

As part of his engagement with the traditional institution, the Deputy Speaker donated buses to the Umunna Traditional Rulers Council and the Bende South State Constituency (Ikwuisi) Traditional Rulers Council to facilitate mobility and ease the councils’ activities.

He also promised that more development interventions would be attracted to the constituency.

At a separate engagement at the Methodist Cathedral, Uzuakoli, religious leaders also endorsed Kalu’s third-term bid.

The meeting was led by the Bishop of the Methodist Diocese of Uzuakoli, Bishop James A. Anyanwu, alongside the Most Rev. Bishop Nwaulo Ikechukwu Emezie of the Methodist Diocese of Item.

The church leaders presented a number of concerns, particularly what they described as inadequate government attention to some church-established facilities and institutions serving the people of Bende.

They appealed to the Deputy Speaker to intervene and support the development and improvement of the facilities, noting that such interventions would have a direct impact on the welfare and development of constituents.

Responding, Kalu assured the church leaders that their requests would be captured in the development plans for the constituency.

The Deputy Speaker assured that provisions had been made in the budget for interventions aimed at supporting the reformation and development of youths across the federal constituency.

According to him, a technical session involving about 130 religious leaders would be convened to deliberate on the details, planning and execution of selected projects.

The church leaders thereafter gave Kalu their mandate and support to proceed with his bid for a third term in the House of Representatives.

The latest endorsements further reinforce the growing campaign of support for Kalu across Bende, coming from traditional institutions, religious bodies and various community groups who say his record of representation and development has earned him another opportunity to serve.