A Legacy of Service, A Future of Prominence: Why Bende Must Re-Elect Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu Come 2027 – By Chief Iseh

A Legacy of Service, A Future of Prominence: Why Bende Must Re-Elect Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu Come 2027 – By Chief Iseh

In Igbo culture, our elders wisely say that when a child washes his hands clean, he dines with kings. Our traditions also teach us the time-honored principle of recognizing, cherishing, and preserving the valuable assets among us. As a proud son of Ndiwo-Itumbauzo, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, and a stakeholder who deeply cares about the economic and social trajectory of our homeland, I feel a profound obligation to speak to my good people of Bende Federal Constituency. As we look ahead toward 2027, politics must give way to undeniable facts, and mere promises must yield to tangible, verifiable results. The stewardship of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu over the past years represents a watershed moment in Bende’s political history, showing us what true, purpose-driven legislative representation looks like for Abia State and Nigeria at large.

For many years, communities across Bende suffered from infrastructural neglect and felt disconnected from the center of governance. Today, that narrative has changed dramatically right before our eyes. Speaking from my own backyard in Itumbauzo, the rehabilitation and asphalting of the Etitiulo-Itumbauzo road has restored economic vitality to our agricultural corridor, easing the movement of farm produce and commuters. Across the constituency, the ongoing multi-billion naira rehabilitation of the Umuahia-Bende-Ohafia road, the major Umuimenyi Nkpa bridge and erosion control project, and road network construction across Alayi, Item, Uzuakoli, Ozuitem, and Bende town stand as living proof of deliberate governance. Beyond asphalt and concrete, Hon. Kalu has consistently invested in human capital through medical eye outreach programs, agricultural grants and equipment for widows and farmers, school block renovations, rural electrification, and youth empowerment initiatives. He has touched lives at the grassroots level in ways that are both deep and enduring.

On the national stage, Benjamin Kalu’s rise to the office of Deputy Speaker of the 10th House of Representatives has placed Bende at the very core of Nigerian governance. Serving as Chairman of the House Committee on Constitution Review, he holds one of the most strategic legislative positions in our democracy. His national footprint is historic. Most notably, his visionary sponsorship of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) Act—which was successfully passed and signed into law by the President—provides a dedicated legal framework to rebuild post-war infrastructure and drive economic regeneration across the South-East region. Furthermore, through the Peace in the South East Project (PISE-P), he pioneered a non-kinetic, peace-building framework aimed at addressing security challenges and restoring economic stability across our communities. These are not modest achievements; they are monumental legislative milestones that directly benefit millions of citizens.

What makes his representation even more remarkable is how Bende’s footprint has expanded beyond our national borders to the international stage. Through his position as Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kalu serves as a principal leader in the 6th ECOWAS Parliament, where he chairs the Committee on Finance, Administration, and Budget, while also representing Nigeria in the Pan-African Parliament. Most recently, his leadership as co-rapporteur at the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly led to the global adoption of a landmark resolution on post-conflict recovery and peacebuilding. When our representative speaks in international assemblies, collaborates with global parliamentarians, and influences continental policy, the name of Bende Federal Constituency echoes in halls of global influence. We are no longer viewed merely as a quiet rural constituency, but as a cradle of international parliamentary leadership.

Good governance is a reciprocal relationship. When a leader serves with exceptional competence, integrity, and passion, the ultimate duty of the electorate is to protect and sustain that leadership. From a practical and professional standpoint, political capital and parliamentary ranking are earned through continuous service. To step back from a ranking principal officer who chairs constitution review, drives regional development commissions, and commands respect at national and international tables would be a monumental disservice to Bende’s collective interest. The people of Bende Federal Constituency have always been a discerning people who understand the times and recognize the value of rewarding good work. Returning Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu to the National Assembly come 2027 is not merely a political choice; it is our collective “Thank You” for a job exceptionally well done. It is a strategic mandate to ensure that the good works transforming Bende, Abia State, and Nigeria continue uninterrupted.

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