In a non surprising turn of events, eight (8) traditional rulers of Igbere autonomous communities yesterday blessed Benjamin Kalu, APC candidate for House of Representatives, Bende Federal Constituency, and unanimously declared ” … because you refused to betray Orji Kalu, we shall not betray you. For us who are the custodians of our tradition and culture, loyalty has a reward and for sixteen (16) years you have shown you are a dependable brother and friend of Igbere land, you love Igbere and Igbere loves you. You are not a stranger in Igbere and we look forward to you building your own home here soon. We are the defenders of equity and fairness and have firmly insisted that the political power which has been in the North should now move to the South. For this position, you are the only one we know in the Bende South running for election.”
The landmark event which took place yesterday January 8, at the palace of Eze Ukaegbu in Ibinaukwu Igbere witnessed the attendance of HRH Eze Dr. John Okorie, HRH Eze U. O. Ukaegbu, HRH Eme Ogbu, HRH Eze Igwe Michael, HRH Eze Joseph Anyanta, HRH Eze Charles O. Iheke, HRH O. C. Eme and HRH O. Chukwu.
There, the APC candidate popularly called BenKalu laid out his plans to ably represent Bende if elected into the House of Representatives. Stressing his desire to pursue a more wholesome representation than what Bende was used to, he promised to diligently execute the legislative, oversight and representative functions of a lawmaker. He particularly emphasized his capacity, courage, compassion and consistency of character, knowledge of the constituency and her needs as his key attributes to achieving this. He offered a representation found in true consultation of the constituents and ended by appealing to the traditional rulers for their support and partnership both during and after the elections.
In a glowing guarantee and attestation to the quality of BenKalu’s character, Eze Dr. Okorie told the other Ezes of Igbere, ”I have known him from when he was a child until now. I can vouch for his character and that whatever he says is the truth”.
The traditional rulers of the Umunna extraction of Bende Local Government chorused their support of equity and fairness and affirmed that it was indeed Ikwuishi’s turn to produce a representative for Bende. They also affirmed that BenKalu was the only candidate of Ikwuishi extraction worthy enough to represent Bende.”
After a unanimous agreement to do so, the traditional rulers gathered around BenKalu as they prayed and performed the ima nzu rites on him, giving him their blessings to represent Bende Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
See pictures from the event:
