Bende Traditional Rulers Release 2019 Rotation compact, Say Kalu Signed Two-Term Proposal — Documents Outline Power-Sharing Arrangement Between Umunna, Ikwu-Isii Blocs

Bende Traditional Rulers Release 2019 Rotation compact, Say Kalu Signed Two-Term Proposal

Traditional rulers in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State have released documents detailing a 2019 political rotation agreement between Bende North, known as Umunna, and Bende South, known as Ikwu-Isii, over representation in the House of Representatives.

The documents were made public during meetings of the Bende Council of Traditional Rulers on Thursday, October 8, and the Bende North Council of Traditional Rulers on Friday, October 9, 2026.

The documents include a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Rotation, Equity and Peace, as well as a separate proposal dated February 4, 2019, bearing the signatures of the current Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and Hon. Emma Trumps Eke, who was identified as Director-General of Kalu’s campaign council at the time.

Reading the memorandum at the Friday meeting held at the palace of the late HRH Eze Sampson Uwaka in Igbere, HRH Ebiri Okoro highlighted provisions outlining the principles of political rotation, fairness and the duration of representation between the two blocs.

Titled “Bende Federal Constituency Memorandum of Understanding on Political Rotation, Equity and Peace, Effective from the 2019 Electoral Cycle,” the document states that its objective is to promote peaceful and equitable rotation of the federal constituency seat between Bende North and Bende South.

It identifies Bende North, or Umunna, as comprising Item, Igbere, Alayi and Ugwueke/Ezeukwu, while Bende South, or Ikwu-Isii, comprises Bende, Itumbauzo, Umuhu-Ezechi, Ozuitem, Uzuakoli and Umuimenyi/Nkpa.

A key provision of 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 completion of the two-term period, the opportunity should rotate to Bende North, adding that no individual, community or political party should treat the seat as a permanent entitlement.

The memorandum also commits both blocs to peaceful conflict resolution and rejects violence, threats, communal hostility and actions capable of undermining unity and peaceful coexistence.

The second document, titled “Proposal Regarding Representation and Rotational Understanding in Bende Federal Constituency,” outlines a proposed arrangement under which representation would move to Bende South for two terms before returning to Bende North.

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 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.”

Reacting to the release, the Chairman of the Abia North Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Uwakwe Ukaegbu, said he was among those who signed the agreement and described the documents as vindication of his position on the rotation arrangement.

“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,” he said.

He maintained that the documents supported the position that it was Bende North’s turn to represent the constituency.

“With these documents, it is the turn of Bende North to represent Bende Federal Constituency,” he declared.

In his remarks, His Royal Majesty, Eze Joseph Ukaoha Anyanta, the Enyi Ezeji of Ibinaukwu, underscored the traditional institution’s role in maintaining stability and peaceful coexistence, observing that kings in biblical times also played important roles in preserving order.

He commended Eze Uwakwe for making the documents available, describing their release as an important contribution to discussions surrounding political representation and rotational understanding in Bende.

The release of the documents is likely to intensify political discussions over the interpretation and implementation of the 2019 rotation arrangement ahead of future elections in Bende Federal Constituency.