Endorsements have continued to mount for the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, ahead of the 2027 general elections, with traditional rulers and religious leaders in the Bende Local Government Area of Abia State declaring support for his third-term bid in the National Assembly.
The latest endorsements came from the Umunna Traditional Rulers Council, adding to growing support for Kalu across the constituency.
The development followed the recent endorsement of the Deputy Speaker by the Bende South State Constituency (Ikwuisi) Traditional Rulers Council, which also dismissed claims of a zoning arrangement promoted by some interests.
Support for Kalu has also come from other groups within the constituency, including the Bende Political Forum, market women and commercial motorcycle operators, who cited his legislative interventions and constituency projects as reasons for backing his re-election.
ALSO READ: Deputy Speaker Kalu pushes African-led security initiative
The endorsements were made during Kalu’s ongoing “Meet Your Constituents” consultation, an initiative through which he engages communities and stakeholder groups to account for his stewardship, receive feedback and discuss development priorities.
At a 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 and unanimously expressed support for his third-term bid.
Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, Eze Kalu Okorie said Kalu had attracted impactful projects and interventions to Bende, adding that 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, noting that his visibility and accomplishments at the National Assembly had brought pride to the people.
“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 claims of a zoning arrangement to rotate the Bende Federal Constituency seat away from Kalu, insisting that their position was based on his performance and the development recorded in the area.
Responding, Kalu thanked the traditional rulers and clergy for their support and confidence, describing the endorsements as validation of his decision to seek another term.
“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,” the Deputy Speaker stressed.
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 support their activities.
He also assured the people that more development interventions would be attracted to the constituency.
At a separate engagement held at the Methodist Cathedral, Uzuakoli, religious leaders also endorsed Kalu’s third-term bid.
The meeting was led by Bishop James A. Anyanwu of the Methodist Diocese of Uzuakoli and Bishop Nwaulo Ikechukwu Emezie of the Methodist Diocese of Item.
The church leaders raised concerns over what they described as inadequate government attention to some church-established facilities and institutions serving the people of Bende and appealed to the Deputy Speaker to intervene.
In response, Kalu assured them that their requests would be incorporated into the constituency’s development plans.
He further explained that provisions had been made in the budget for interventions aimed at youth development across the federal constituency, noting that a technical session involving about 130 religious leaders would be convened to deliberate on selected projects.
The church leaders subsequently endorsed Kalu’s bid for a third term in the House of Representatives.
The endorsements further strengthened support for the Deputy Speaker across Bende, with traditional institutions, religious bodies and community groups citing his record of representation and development initiatives as reasons for backing his return to the National Assembly.
