New Bende Forum Endorses Otti, Anyaso, Rejects Third-Term Bid

…Adopts Labour Party Candidate for Bende Federal Constituency, Unveils New Leadership

By Chijioke Chukwuemeka

The New Bende Forum has endorsed Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, for a second term in office, adopted Labour Party candidate, Dr. Chima Anyaso, for the 2027 Bende Federal Constituency election and rejected third-term bids for elective positions in the area.

The resolutions were contained in a communiqué issued after the forum’s meeting held on Sunday, October 25, 2026, in Igbere, Bende Local Government Area, Abia State, where political stakeholders and community leaders deliberated on governance, political representation and the future of Bende.

The forum declared its support for Governor Otti to continue in office until 2031, maintaining that the achievements of his administration should be sustained.

“Abia State has never had it so good. This good governance must continue in Abia,” the communiqué stated.

Describing itself as the political voice and assembly of the Bende people, the forum said its emergence as Bende Forum – New Abia was aimed at promoting unity, progress and development across Bende Local Government Area and Bende Federal Constituency.

In a major political resolution, the forum adopted Dr. Chima Anyaso, the Labour Party candidate for Bende Federal Constituency, as its preferred candidate for the House of Representatives election in 2027.

The communiqué stated that the forum considered the backgrounds, antecedents and credentials of the contenders before concluding that Anyaso was “fit and proper” to represent the constituency at the National Assembly.

The endorsement received support from stakeholders across different political parties, highlighting the forum’s call for a common position on Bende’s representation at the federal legislature.

Chief Nduaka Nworisara, an African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, moved the motion urging Bende stakeholders to rally behind Anyaso, stressing the importance of unity in determining the constituency’s political future.

The motion was seconded by Ezeogo Anyim Eke, an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, who said his party had already made its position known on the need for the House of Representatives seat to return to Bende North.

Eke also called on stakeholders to support Anyaso’s candidacy.

The meeting’s account stated that the motion was unanimously adopted by the participants.

In another significant resolution, the forum declared its opposition to third-term bids for elective offices in Bende, specifically mentioning seats in the Abia State House of Assembly and the House of Representatives.

It maintained that political representation should be guided by equity, fairness and progress, arguing that these principles were essential to ensuring a balanced distribution of political opportunities in the area.

The forum also criticised what it described as inconsistent political positions by individuals who had previously opposed third-term ambitions but were now allegedly supporting such bids when it suited their interests.

It urged the people of Bende to consider equity, fairness and progress when making political choices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The communiqué, however, did not specify how the position would apply to individual officeholders or address the constitutional provisions governing eligibility for re-election.

The endorsement of Governor Otti was formalised through a motion moved by Hon. Marshal Okorie from Ugwueke and seconded by Hon. Godwin Ndom from Itumbauzor.

The motion was subsequently put to a voice vote by the member representing Bende North State Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi Ibekwe, with the forum affirming the proposal.

The stakeholders maintained that their support for Otti reflected their desire to sustain what they described as good governance in Abia State.

The meeting also witnessed the unveiling of a new leadership structure for Bende Forum – New Abia, in what participants described as an effort to restore a collective political voice for the area.

The Mayor of Bende Local Government Area, Mayor Uwabunkonye Bassey, said the gathering brought together stakeholders from across the local government to chart a common political direction.

He explained that the reorganisation was intended to build on the legacy of the former Bende Forum while repositioning the group to address contemporary political and developmental issues.

“We have gathered here today, and the people you are seeing here are Bende stakeholders. Before now, we had the old Bende Forum. This time around, we have made progress, and that progress is the emergence of a New Bende Forum,” Bassey said.

He added that the meeting was convened to strengthen collaboration among stakeholders and provide a platform for discussing the future of Bende.

The newly announced leadership comprises Hon. Ukwu Rocks Emma as Chairman; Okechukwu Dike as Deputy Chairman; Chief Nduaka Nworisara as Secretary; Obike Mascot as Organising Secretary; Ferdinand Ekeoma as Director of Publicity; Dr. Mrs. Nnaoma Thompson as Woman Leader; and Ezeogo Anyim Eke as Youth Leader.

Chief Emeka Charles Kalu (ECK) was named Grand Patron of the forum.

‘Bende MUST RECLAIM ITS POLITICAL VOICE’

In his remarks, the newly announced chairman, Hon. Chief Ukwu Rocks Emma, said the reconstitution of the forum was aimed at restoring Bende’s voice in political affairs and ensuring that stakeholders had a common platform for discussing issues affecting the area and the state.

“Thank God that we have a new Abia, and in Bende, we have a New Bende Forum. People have not heard the voice of Bende for a long time, so the time has come for people to hear the name of Bende Forum,” he said.

Emma stressed the importance of unity, fairness and collective decision-making, adding that the forum would provide an equal platform for stakeholders to deliberate on political and developmental matters.

He maintained that the forum’s decisions would be guided by the collective interests of Bende and the need to ensure that its people remained relevant in the political affairs of Abia State.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Abia State Commission for Persons with Disabilities, Hon. David Anyaele, said the new forum would work towards sustaining unity among Bende stakeholders and ensuring that collectively reached decisions were respected.

The meeting attracted several government appointees and political stakeholders, including Hon. Ferdinand Ekeoma; Onyi Nwosu, Director-General of Monitoring and Evaluation; Deputy Mayor Ngozi Sandra Anya; and Prof. Ijeoma Iheukwumere, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor, among others.

The forum concluded by urging the people of Bende to be guided by equity, fairness and progress in determining their political choices ahead of the 2027 general elections.

It maintained that its resolutions on governance, political representation and tenure in elective office were intended to promote unity and strengthen Bende’s collective voice in the political affairs of Abia State.