WHO IS AFRAID OF CHIMA ANYASO? BENDE REPS RACE FOR 2027 TAKES SHAPE
LP Chieftain Cites Equity, Trust, and Philanthropy as Drivers of Campaign
IGBERE, ABIA STATE — The contest for the Bende Federal Constituency seat in 2027 has taken a dramatic turn following the formal declaration of Labour Party chieftain, Dr. Chimaobi Desmond Anyaso, popularly known as “Ofuji”.
At a stakeholders’ meeting in his Igbere hometown attended by leaders from all 13 wards of Bende, Anyaso received a unanimous endorsement as the constituency’s consensus candidate for the House of Representatives. Former elected councillors in the state also pledged “100 per cent” support, vowing to mobilize across Abia for his victory.
Announcing his vision on Facebook, Anyaso said he is committed to bringing “Joy. Peace. Hope. Dignity. Humility. Respect” to the people of Bende through “responsible and people-centered representation come 2027”.
“Family is everything to me… leadership begins at home,” he stated. “Here’s to family, unity, and a brighter future for Bende. O GA DIKA OLUEBUBE 2027!”
Political analysts say Anyaso’s entry is shaking up the race for three key reasons:
Anyaso is widely known for running a free school in Igbere and supporting thousands of young people across Abia. Stakeholders said the call for him to run was “driven by his proven track record and the trust he has built among the people”.
He argued that it is the turn of Bende North, particularly Umunna, to produce the next representative. Anyaso noted that he stepped aside in 2023 to allow fairness after the southern bloc held the seat for eight years.
His profile extends beyond Bende. Anyaso was invited to speak at Harvard University’s IFE Institute on “Building Lasting Institutions”. There, he stressed that “the most valuable currency in leadership is not money, influence or position — it is trust” and that “leadership without character creates power without purpose”.
Anyaso will contest on the platform of the Labour Party, which has already affirmed him as its candidate. He has also aligned with Governor Alex Otti’s “OTTI AGAIN 2027” movement, commending the governor for clearing councillors’ arrears and restoring confidence in governance.
On the other side, the contest is expected to be keen as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has already secured the APC ticket unopposed for the Bende Federal Constituency seat in 2027.
Presenting Anyaso to the gathering, Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Cliff Agbaeze, said “Bende requires a credible and competent representative with a clear vision for progress”.
With campaigns now gathering momentum, the Bende race is shaping up around youth mobilization, zoning equity, and the LP’s push for synergy between state and federal representation.
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