An Igbere traditional ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Rowland A. Ekeoma, has cautioned politicians in Bende Federal Constituency against assuming that being an indigene of Igbere automatically gives them an electoral advantage over their opponents.
Eze Ekeoma made the remark when the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, paid a consultation visit to his palace as part of his engagements with traditional rulers and stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The monarch stressed that the people of Igbere are peace-loving and democratic-minded, noting that they have historically supported candidates from outside the community, just as indigenes of Igbere have received support from people in other communities.
According to him, electoral support in Igbere is not determined solely by indigeneity but by the conviction of the people and their assessment of the candidates seeking their votes.
Eze Ekeoma said any politician who believes that Igbere is automatically his or her political stronghold because of ancestral ties is mistaken.
He urged political candidates to avoid boasting that the people of Igbere would vote exclusively for them, stressing that voters would ultimately support the candidate they trust and consider capable of representing their interests.
“Only God knows who will win,” the monarch said, adding that the people of Igbere know those whom God has blessed and would eventually make their choice based on their convictions.
The traditional ruler’s remarks came amid a series of consultations by Deputy Speaker Kalu with traditional rulers and stakeholders across Bende Federal Constituency as he seeks another term in the House of Representatives.
Kalu has, in recent months, received endorsements from traditional rulers and stakeholders across the constituency, with supporters citing his performance and representation during his seven years in the National Assembly.
At the consultation meeting, Eze Ekeoma also offered prayers for the Deputy Speaker, asking God to grant him his heart’s desire and endow him with greater wisdom to continue representing the people of Bende Federal Constituency.
