Bende Federal Constituency Seat: Group Demands Adherence to Zoning Agreement

Reactions have continued to trail the controversy surrounding the zoning arrangement for the Bende Federal Constituency seat ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Abia Rejoice Movement calling on stakeholders to respect the existing agreement in the interest of peace, equity and political stability.

The group’s position comes days after traditional rulers from the constituency urged political stakeholders to uphold the zoning arrangement to preserve harmony as political activities ahead of the 2027 polls gather momentum.

Speaking on behalf of the movement after a meeting at the party office in Umuahia, the Women Leader of the Abia Rejoice Movement in Bende, Mrs. Blessing Uwakwa, said agreements freely entered into by stakeholders should be honoured.

“A signed agreement endorsed by our traditional rulers and stakeholders should not be discarded because of personal interests. Respect for agreements is fundamental to justice, fairness and peaceful coexistence,” she said.

Uwakwe maintained that the zoning arrangement was designed to promote equity among the component blocs in the constituency and warned that abandoning it could heighten political tension.

“We are appealing to everyone involved to return to the spirit of the agreement. Integrity should guide our actions, and the collective interest of Bende must take precedence over individual ambitions,” she added.

Other leaders of the movement also called for dialogue and restraint among political actors, expressing confidence that a peaceful resolution would strengthen unity within the constituency and create an atmosphere for credible political participation ahead of the elections.

The zoning arrangement for the Bende Federal Constituency seat has remained a subject of public discourse in recent days, attracting reactions from traditional rulers, political stakeholders and interest groups.