Traditional rulers in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State have released documents detailing a 2019 political rotation agreement between Bende North, also known as Umunna, and Bende South, known as Ikwu-Isii, over representation in the House of Representatives.
The documents, made public during meetings of the Bende Council of Traditional Rulers on Thursday, October 8, and the Bende North Council of Traditional Rulers on Friday, October 9, outline a proposed two-term arrangement for the Bende Federal Constituency seat.
The disclosure comes amid renewed discussions over the rotational understanding between the two blocs, with the traditional rulers insisting that the agreement provides for the transfer of representation after two consecutive four-year terms.
Among the documents released are a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Political Rotation, Equity and Peace, effective from the 2019 electoral cycle, and a separate proposal dated February 4, 2019, bearing the signatures of the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and Hon. Emma Trumps Eke, identified in the document as Director-General of Kalu’s campaign council at the time.
The memorandum was read by HRH Ebiri Okoro during Friday’s meeting, where attention was drawn to provisions concerning political rotation, fairness, equity and the duration of representation between Bende North and Bende South.
Titled “Bende Federal Constituency Memorandum of Understanding on Political Rotation, Equity and Peace, Effective from the 2019 Electoral Cycle,” the document states that its primary objective is to promote peaceful and equitable rotation of the federal constituency’s seat between the two blocs.
It identifies Bende North, or Umunna, as comprising Item, Igbere, Alayi and Ugwueke/Ezeukwu, while Bende South, or Ikwu-Isii, comprises Bende, Itumbauzo, Umuhu-Ezechi, Ozuitem, Uzuakoli and Umuimenyi/Nkpa.
Article Four of the memorandum provides that the bloc occupying the seat would ordinarily be allowed two consecutive four-year terms, subject to the Constitution, electoral laws, party processes and the decision of the electorate.
The same article states that, upon completion of the two-term period, “the opportunity rotates to Bende North (Umunna).”
It further provides that “no individual, community, or political party shall treat the seat as a permanent entitlement.”
The agreement also calls for peaceful resolution of disagreements and rejects violence, threats, communal hostility and actions capable of undermining unity and peaceful coexistence.
The second document, dated February 4, 2019, and titled “Proposal Regarding Representation and Rotational Understanding in Bende Federal Constituency,” outlines a proposed arrangement for representation between the two blocs.
The proposal, which bears the signatures of Kalu and Eke, states that Kalu, as a son of Ikwu-Isii, sought to represent the constituency while acknowledging the contributions of Umunna.
“As a son of Ikwu-Isii (Bende South), I wish to place on record my intention to seek the opportunity to represent the constituency in the House of Representatives, while recognising the historical contributions and leadership of our brothers and sisters in Umunna (Bende North),” the document states.
It adds that the proposal was founded on “the understanding of equitable rotation and mutual respect between the two blocs.”
On the duration of representation, the document states: “Under the proposed arrangement, representation would be allowed to move to Bende South for two terms, after which the opportunity would return to Bende North.”
The traditional rulers presented the documents as evidence of the rotational understanding and its provisions on the duration of representation.
However, the release of the documents does not, in itself, establish whether the arrangement is legally binding or whether all parties currently agree on its interpretation.
Traditional rulers insist on fairness
Speaking during the meeting, the Chairman of the Abia North Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Eze Uwakwe Ukaegbu, said he was among those who signed the agreement and described the documents as vindication of his position.
“I want to say today that I have been vindicated. Those who sponsored touts to say that I lied should go and ask God for forgiveness. I, Eze Uwakwe, stand for the truth; I can never tell lies,” he said.
Ukaegbu maintained that, based on the documents, it was the turn of Bende North to represent the constituency.
“With these documents, it is the turn of Bende North to represent Bende Federal Constituency,” he declared.
His position underscores the traditional rulers’ argument that the rotation arrangement should be respected in the interest of fairness, mutual understanding and peaceful coexistence among the constituent communities.
Also speaking, His Royal Majesty, Eze Joseph Ukaoha Anyanta, the Enyi Ezeji of Ibinaukwu, said traditional rulers had a role in maintaining stability in society, drawing a parallel with the role of kings in the Bible.
He also thanked Ukaegbu for making the documents available.
