𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐆𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐛𝐢𝐚 𝐍𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐡: 𝐀 𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧-𝐔𝐩 ~By Onyeani Kalu

ONN BENDE 01.11.2025

In this 21st century, an era defined by innovation, enterprise, and self-sufficiency, one would expect that communities blessed with decades of political power would at least boast of a functioning bakery. Yet, in the heart of Abia North, the story is as shocking as it is symbolic: a people who have produced some of the country’s loudest political voices like Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu cannot even point to an ordinary bakery to show for all their years of political dominance.

It is little wonder that the cry for a “political clean-up from top to bottom” is echoing across Abia North. The irony is as thick as unbaked dough, those who have claimed to hold the keys to political influence are now being exposed by something as basic as bread.

In Bende, the situation has become a national comedy. Citizens are reportedly asking and Begging Rt Hon. Benjamin Kalu, their representative and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, to extend his magic of Infrastructure and establish a bakery in Bende, a responsibility that ordinarily falls under the purview of the Labour Party local government chairman. But when years of political leadership yield nothing tangible, even bread becomes a luxury item.

For too long, political dominance in Abia North has been defined by rhetoric, not results; by visibility in Abuja, not viability at home. Now, the people are awake. The symbolism of “bread” goes beyond pastry, it represents sustenance, empowerment, and development. If a region so politically endowed cannot bake its own bread, then it’s time to question what kind of “leaders” it has been producing.

So when some of these self-proclaimed political giants attempt to “paint No. 6 black,” they inadvertently expose their own emptiness. The people of Abia North, especially Bende, have begun to see through the performance politics. The days of empty promises are over. The citizens are no longer content with crumbs; they want real bread, literally and figuratively.

This isn’t just about bakeries. It’s about accountability. It’s about leadership that delivers.

And perhaps, in this season of awakening, the message is clear: If you can’t provide bread, you don’t deserve power.

~Mazi Onyeani Kalu

The GrandMaster 💥

Political Scientist, Custodian of Ancient Wisdom, an Advocate for Dividends of Democracy