Item Traditional Rulers Reject Purported Endorsement of Labour Party Candidate, Back Benjamin Kalu

 

Traditional rulers from Item Clan in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State, have distanced themselves from the purported endorsement of the Labour Party candidate for Bende Federal Constituency, Dr. Chima Anyaso, which reportedly took place during a meeting in Igbere.

 

The royal fathers, who convened at the palace of the Chairman of the Item Traditional Rulers Council, Eze Emmanuel Azubuike Ogbonna, the Mmaku II of Amaeke Autonomous Community, maintained that the position expressed at the Igbere gathering did not represent the collective decision of the Item Traditional Rulers Council.

At the meeting, the Royal fathers reaffirmed their support for the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, describing his representation of Bende Federal Constituency as impactful and beneficial to communities across the constituency.

 

Addressing the gathering, Eze Ogbonna explained that the meeting in Igbere was convened under what he described as a different pretext, but later turned into an attempt to canvass support for a purported rotational arrangement for the Bende Federal Constituency seat. He said he declined to support the move because no formal agreement had ever been reached or documented among the traditional rulers.

According to the monarch, there is no signed rotational agreement binding the constituency, stressing that the contest remains open to all qualified candidates.

He noted that the traditional institution would support whoever emerges victorious through the democratic process, while emphasizing that Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu has delivered significant projects and development to Item, Umunna, Ikwuisii and other parts of Bende Federal Constituency.

Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Umunnato Autonomous Community, HRM Eze Innocent Kalu Mba, JP, dismissed claims that the Item Traditional Rulers Council endorsed any candidate in Igbere. He stated that no collective resolution was reached by the council and insisted that anyone claiming otherwise should present documentary evidence of such an agreement.

 

The monarch argued that, in the interest of justice and equity, Benjamin Kalu should be allowed to complete a third term, noting that Umunna had previously occupied the House of Representatives seat for 16 years while Ikwuisii had so far held it for 12 years.

 

He further highlighted the records of Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu in infrastructure, education, healthcare, welfare and constituency development, across the various clans in Bende Federal Constituency.

Similarly, Eze Jerry Akpala, the traditional ruler of Akajiofor Ikwueze Autonomous Community, stated that despite serving as Deputy Chairman of the Bende Council of Traditional Rulers when discussions on zoning were held years ago, no agreement was ever signed by the royal fathers.

He maintained that traditional rulers do not determine who contests elections, describing the process as the responsibility of political parties and the electorate.

Other monarchs, including Eze Chile Igwe Ogo of Amaukabia Autonomous Community, Eze Okpo Ogwo of Ifumba Autonomous Community, Eze Sunday Ogbonnaya of Echima Udukwu, Eze James Ogbonnaya of Okai Item, Eze Chinedu Uga of Okakwe, Eze Sunday Agu of Akpaeme, Eze Osoka Agwu of Amabaukwu, Eze Emmanuel Chijioke Ogbonnaya of Ugwuruba Item and Eze Samuel Ihejirika of Elugu Akanu Item Autonomous Community, echoed similar positions.

The royal fathers collectively maintained that traditional rulers should remain non-partisan and refrain from participating in partisan political endorsements. They stressed that their constitutional and traditional role is to offer blessings and prayers to all aspirants irrespective of political affiliation, while leaving the choice of candidates to political parties and the electorate.

They, however, acknowledged the developmental projects attracted to Item and other communities by the Deputy Speaker, saying his performance has earned him widespread appreciation across the constituency.

The traditional rulers further reiterated that no valid rotational agreement exists among the traditional rulers of Item and that any position expressed outside the council’s collective resolution should be regarded as personal opinions rather than the official position of the Item Traditional Rulers Council.