Tension in Bende as Traditional Ruler Allegedly Threatens Voters Over 2027 Election

Tension has reportedly heightened in parts of Bende Federal Constituency, Abia State, following the circulation of a viral video in which a traditional ruler was allegedly heard threatening residents who fail to vote for the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, in the 2027 general elections.

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday during a courtesy visit by the Deputy Speaker to selected traditional rulers of Umunna extraction in Bende Federal Constituency. The event was attended by All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders, dignitaries and royal fathers from Umunna communities.

According to witnesses, the controversy erupted after a video surfaced online showing the Traditional Ruler of Akanu Item in Bende Local Government Area, HRH Eze Innocent Mba, addressing participants at the gathering.

In the viral clip, the monarch was allegedly heard saying, *”Anyone in Akanu Item who does not vote for Ben Kalu will die.”* He was also alleged to have said, *”The ground will kill anyone who votes against Benjamin Kalu in his immediate community,”* while further declaring that he was not afraid of being dethroned.

The video has since generated widespread reactions across the constituency, with critics describing the alleged remarks as inappropriate and capable of inciting fear among voters.

A resident of Ugwueke, who reacted to the development on Sunday, described the alleged statement as one of the most disturbing comments made by a traditional ruler in recent times.

Community members and some civil society groups have condemned the remarks, describing them as an abuse of the traditional institution and a form of political intimidation. They called on the monarch to publicly withdraw the statement.

A community leader warned that the traditional ruler would be held responsible should any incident of violence or loss of life occur before, during or after the 2027 elections.

The groups also appealed to the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers and security agencies to intervene to prevent the political atmosphere in the constituency from deteriorating.

A youth leader in Bende stressed that elections should be decided through persuasion rather than intimidation, insisting that neither politicians nor traditional rulers should make statements capable of undermining peace in the constituency.

Observers also pointed to Section 95 of the Electoral Act, 2022, which prohibits acts capable of intimidating voters during elections. They further noted that the Abia State Council of Traditional Rulers had earlier urged monarchs across the state to remain custodians of peace and avoid partisan political activities.

The incident has further fueled political debate within the constituency, with some critics accusing the Deputy Speaker’s supporters of condoning political intimidation, while others maintained that the traditional ruler acted in his personal capacity.

Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, who was present at the event, had not publicly responded to the specific remarks attributed to the monarch as of the time of filing this report.

Similarly, neither the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) nor the Nigeria Police Force in Abia State had issued an official statement on the incident at press time.

Meanwhile, civil society organisations have called for a thorough investigation into the matter, arguing that any form of threat or intimidation linked to electoral participation undermines democratic principles and the rule of law.