There are indications that politicking in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State will soon witness realignment as Traditional rulers of the area have moved to end the lingering rift between former Governor of Abia State and Senator representing Abia North, Orji Uzor Kalu, and the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu.
Making their position known during a peace meeting convened by stakeholders from Bende at the palace of the Chairman of the Bende Council of Ndi Eze, Eze Okorie Uchendu, the Royal Fathers vowed to intervene in the dispute between the two of their revered political leaders.
While noting with concern the ongoing media exchanges and attacks between both camps, the Traditional Rulers called on supporters and associates of both parties to henceforth desist from inflammatory remarks capable of escalating tensions.
Convener of the peace effort, Hon. Emmanuel Onwuchekwa, pointed out that 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.
According to him, the peace move was designed to use 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.
They however cautioned that the prolonged rift could negatively affect political unity and future electioneering activities in the area.
In their speeches traditional rulers from Igbere, Eze Joseph Anyanta, who is 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, 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.
In their contributions, the traditional ruler of Bende ward, Eze Tony Okoro Chukwu and the former chairman of Bende council of Ndieze, Eze Patrick Ude, emphasized the need for peace, which they said could advance development and progress, adding that absence of it, could bring backwardness in the area.
Hanto Daily News reports that 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.
