The Labour Party candidate for Bende Federal Constituency in Abia State, Dr Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso, has intensified his campaign to unseat the incumbent Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Anyaso, who is challenging Kalu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate seeking a third term in the National Assembly, made the move by signing what he described as the “Bende Prosperity Contract” with his constituents.
The contract, signed on Wednesday at the Community Town Hall in Uzuakoli, attracted representatives of more than 33 groups from across the constituency.
Anyaso said the document was designed to establish a clear understanding between him and the people, stressing that it was not another political manifesto filled with lofty promises.
According to him, the agreement was written in simple language to enable constituents to understand its provisions and hold him accountable if elected.
He said the initiative reflected his commitment to responsible leadership, transparency and effective representation.
Speaking on the qualities expected of elected public officials, Anyaso argued that character and integrity should form the foundation of leadership, insisting that public office holders must remain accountable to the people they represent.
“Anyone who devalues his own people does not deserve to carry their name, much less carry their voice to Abuja,” he said.
The LP candidate added that the values required for good leadership were cultivated at home and within communities, rather than acquired after assuming public office.
He also criticised the practice of politicians taking personal credit for projects executed with public funds, describing it as a form of deception that undermines the dignity of constituents.
According to him, elected representatives should not portray publicly funded projects as personal favours to the people.
“Bende people are not beggars,” he declared, arguing that constituents deserve quality infrastructure and effective representation rather than political patronage.
Outlining his priorities if elected, Anyaso said he would focus on attracting development projects, including roads, hospitals and schools, as well as skills acquisition opportunities for young people.
He maintained that such projects should be regarded as the people’s entitlements rather than personal gifts from politicians.
On the conduct of the 2027 elections, the LP candidate urged residents, particularly youths, to reject political violence and avoid being used to advance the ambitions of politicians.
He warned that no election was worth the loss of human lives or the destruction of the future of young people.
Anyaso also appealed to his supporters not to be intimidated or discouraged by claims that the outcome of the election had already been determined.
He insisted that the people had the power to determine who represented them and called for credible elections in which their votes would count.
The candidate, however, cautioned against electoral malpractice and intimidation, saying his peaceful disposition should not be mistaken for weakness.
He pledged to defend the rights of Bende residents to freely choose their representative and ensure that their mandate was respected.
Addressing the longstanding political rotation arrangement between the Umunna and Ikwuishi blocs in the constituency, Anyaso promised to uphold the understanding.
He said that, if elected, he would support an Ikwuishi candidate to represent the constituency at the appropriate time, stressing that political power should not become the permanent possession of any individual or group.
According to him, leadership should create opportunities for future generations rather than shut them out of public service.
Anyaso subsequently urged constituents to study the prosperity contract, scrutinise its provisions and hold him accountable for his commitments.
He said he was prepared to build relationships, negotiate for development projects, report back to the people, collaborate with relevant stakeholders and pursue legitimate opportunities for the constituency.
Some constituents who spoke at the event expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of representation in the National Assembly and described Anyaso as a promising alternative.
They praised his accessibility and philanthropic activities, expressing confidence that his contributions outside public office could translate into improved representation if he secured the mandate.
They specifically cited the nursery school established by his Chima Anyaso Foundation in Igbere in 2006, which they said had grown into a modern primary school.
According to them, the institution had graduated more than 600 pupils, with Anyaso bearing the costs of teachers’ salaries and other operational expenses.
The supporters said his record of philanthropy had strengthened their belief that he could make a greater contribution to the development of Bende if elected into the House of Representatives.
