The third-term ambition of Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has come under fresh controversy following a zoning dispute in Bende, Abia State. The disagreement centres on an alleged 2019 power-rotation agreement said to guide the distribution of political representation in the area.
Traditional rulers in Bende are reportedly insisting that the agreement should be respected, raising questions about the political arrangement ahead of the 2027 general elections. Their position has added a new dimension to the unfolding debate over Kalu’s ambition to return to the House of Representatives for another term.
However, Kalu’s campaign organisation has dismissed the alleged agreement as a forgery, challenging the claims surrounding its authenticity. With both sides maintaining opposing positions, the dispute could shape political alignments in Bende as stakeholders weigh the implications for zoning, representation and the 2027 electoral contest.
