More Troubles For Ben Kalu As Bende Traditional Rulers Release 2019 Rotation Agreement, Where He Signed Against Third Term
****Documents Outline Two-Term Arrangement Between Umunna and Ikwu-Isii Blocs as HRH Ebiri Okoro Reads Agreement-
Traditional rulers in Bende Local Government Area have released documents relating the 2019 political rotation understanding between Bende North, known as the ‘Umunna bloc, and Bende South, known as the ‘Ikwu-Isii bloc, as it regards the Bende Federal Constituency Seat.
The documents,which were made public during the Meeting of the entire Bende Council of Traditional rulers on Thursday 8th October held at the Secretariat in Bende and on Friday 9th October during the meeting of the Bende North Council of Traditional rulers meeting held at the palace of late HRH Eze Sampson Uwaka in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area.
The documents include a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Rotation, Equity and Peace, as well as a separate proposal dated February 4, 2019, bearing the signatures of Benjamin Okezie Kalu and Hon. Emma Trumps Eke, proposed by the Deputy Speaker that he won’t seek 3rd term.
The memorandum was on read Friday by HRH Ebiri Okoro, who drew attention to its provisions on political rotation, equity, fairness and the duration of representation between the two blocs.
“Bende Federal Constituency Memorandum of Understanding on Political Rotation, Equity and Peace, Effective from the 2019 Electoral Cycle,” the document identifies its purpose as establishing a peaceful and equitable arrangement for rotating the federal constituency’s representative seat between Bende North and Bende South.
Article One states that the agreement is intended to promote “peaceful and equitable” rotation of the House of Representatives seat between the two blocs.
The document further identifies the communities belonging to each bloc. Bende North, also known as Umunna, comprises Item, Igbere, Alayi and Ugwueke/Ezeukwu, while Bende South, known as Ikwu-Isii, comprises Bende, Itumbauzo, Umuhu-Ezechi, Ozuitem, Uzuakoli and Umuimenyi/Nkpa.
One of the memorandum’s central provisions is the duration of representation. Article Four states that the bloc occupying the seat would ordinarily be allowed “two consecutive four-year terms,” subject to the Constitution, electoral laws, party processes and the decision of the electorate.
The same article provides that, upon the completion of the two-term period, “the opportunity rotates to Bende North (Umunna).”
It also states that “no individual, community, or political party shall treat the seat as a permanent entitlement.”
The document also commits both blocs to resolving disagreements peacefully. Its provisions reject violence, threats, communal hostility and actions capable of creating division, while urging the parties to uphold equity, fairness, justice, unity and peaceful coexistence.
Alongside the memorandum, the traditional rulers released a separate document dated February 4, 2019, titled “Proposal Regarding Representation and Rotational Understanding in Bende Federal Constituency.”
The proposal bears the signatures of the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt Hon.Benjamin Okezie Kalu, identified as the candidate as at that time in 2019, and Hon. Emma Trumps Eke, Director General of Benjamin Kalu Campaign Council.
In the document, the proposal states: “As a son of Ikwu-Isii (Bende South), I wish to place on record my intention to seek the opportunity to represent the constituency in the House of Representatives, while recognising the historical contributions and leadership of our brothers and sisters in Umunna (Bende North).”
It further explains that the proposal was based on “the understanding of equitable rotation and mutual respect between the two blocs.”
On the proposed duration of representation, the document states: “Under the proposed arrangement, representation would be allowed to move to Bende South for two terms, after which the opportunity would return to Bende North.”
In his speech, The Chairman of Abia North Council of Traditional rulers HRH Eze Uwakwe Ukaegbu said he was part of those who signed and said he has been vindicated.
“I want to say today, that I have been vindicated, those who sponsored touts to say that I lied should go and ask God for forgiveness, I Eze Uwakwe stand for the Truth, I can never tell lies”
“With this documents, it is the turn of Bende North to represent Bende Federal Constituency “
On his part His Royal Majesty, Eze Joseph Ukaoha Anyanta (Enyi Ezeji of Ibinaukwu) said even in Bible Kings were there to ensure the stability of various and thanked Eze Uwakwe for making the documents available.
