Okereke Kate
Traditional rulers in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State have moved to end the lingering face-off between former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu.
The monarchs, during a peace meeting held at the palace of the Chairman of the Bende Council of Ndi Eze, Eze Okorie Uchendu, resolved to intervene in the dispute and ensure reconciliation between the two political leaders.
The royal fathers expressed concern over the ongoing media exchanges surrounding the disagreement and urged supporters and associates of both parties to refrain from inflammatory comments capable of escalating tensions.
The meeting, convened by stakeholders from Bende, attracted traditional rulers, political leaders, and community stakeholders from both Bende Ward and Igbere extraction.
Convener of the peace movement, Hon. Emmanuel Onwuchekwa, said the intervention became necessary following growing concerns over the public perception of the disagreement and its possible impact on political harmony in Bende and Abia North.
He maintained that the peace initiative was designed to resolve the issue through dialogue and traditional mediation mechanisms, stressing that the Deputy Speaker had remained focused on his political path despite speculations surrounding the crisis.
Stakeholders at the meeting, including Hon. Paul C. Mba, the Board of Trustees Chairman of the Chima Anyaso Foundation, Ezeogo Emeka Onuoha, and Hon. Okechukwu Uko, noted that both political leaders remain symbols of pride to Bende and the South-East, warning that a prolonged rift could negatively affect political unity and future electioneering activities in the area.
Former political office holders and community leaders present at the gathering emphasized the need for peace, unity, and mutual respect, insisting that unresolved disagreements between the two leaders could create wider divisions within the constituency.
Responding, the traditional rulers from Igbere extraction, Eze Joseph Anyanta, the traditional ruler of Ibinkwu Igbere Autonomous Community; the traditional ruler of Ohumola Community, Eze Engr. Okoro Ebiri; the traditional ruler of Okafia Igbere, Eze Okorie Chukwu; and the traditional ruler of Okporoenyi Autonomous Community, Eze Engr. Ogbonna C. Iromantu, also endorsed the reconciliation move, describing both leaders as prominent sons of Bende who have contributed significantly to the political visibility of the area at the national level.
The monarchs pledged their commitment to ensuring peace and stability in Bende and promised to invite both parties for discussions aimed at resolving the matter amicably.
Also, the traditional ruler of Bende Ward, Eze Tony Okoro Chukwu, and the former Chairman of Bende Council of Ndi Eze, Eze Patrick Ude, emphasized the need for peace, which they said could advance development and progress, adding that the absence of peace could bring backwardness to the area.
At the end of the meeting, the Chairman of the Bende Council of Ndi Eze, Eze Okorie Uchendu, read a communiqué calling for an immediate end to the media war surrounding the dispute and reaffirmed the determination of the traditional institution to handle the matter internally and peacefully.
