A group known as the Isi-Uzo Patriots has called on the Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah, to review and reverse what it described as an unjust ceding of the Isi-Uzo Local Government chairmanship position to Eha-Amufu, warning that the decision could deepen political divisions within the council area.
The group made the call during a press conference held on Thursday, where it expressed concern over what it termed growing inequality in the distribution of political positions among the five federating communities that make up Isi-Uzo Local Government Area.
According to the group, the May 28, 2026 decision to zone another council chairmanship position to Eha-Amufu had generated resentment and agitation among other communities in the local government stressing that the development has undermined the long-standing understanding that political positions should rotate among the constituent communities to promote inclusiveness, equity and unity.
The group challenged claims that Eha-Amufu constitutes half of the population of Isi-Uzo, arguing that available electoral and demographic data do not support such assertions.
Drawing from voter turnout figures from the 2023 Enugu State governorship election, the group noted that wards in Ikem and Mbu recorded higher voter participation rates than those in Eha-Amufu, adding that while Eha-Amufu’s four wards accounted for the largest voting bloc in the local government, none of the wards surpassed the local government average turnout.
The Patriots further argued that voter registration and population projections indicate that Eha-Amufu, although the largest single community in Isi-Uzo, does not outweigh the combined population of the other four communities.
Citing population estimates based on the 2006 national census and subsequent projections, the group maintained that Eha-Amufu represents about 39 per cent of the local government’s population, while the combined populations of Ikem, Umualor, Neke and Mbu constitute the majority.
The group recalled that the administration of former governor Chimaroke Nnamani established three development centres in Isi-Uzo—Eha-Amufu, Isi-Uzo Central and Amanyi—based on what it described as balanced demographic considerations.
It alleged that the creation of an additional development centre in Eha-Amufu during the administration of former governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi disrupted the existing balance and has since been used as the basis for disproportionate allocation of political offices.
The Patriots claimed that Eha-Amufu has produced several council chairmen since 1999, while some communities, including Umualor, have never occupied the chairmanship position.
They therefore called for a return to the original three-development-centre arrangement as the basis for zoning political offices until all constituent communities have had opportunities to occupy key positions.
The group also urged Governor Mbah to consider what it described as the contributions of communities that supported his election in 2023, warning against allowing individuals or groups to monopolise political appointments and elective positions.
While acknowledging that Eha-Amufu remains the largest individual community in Isi-Uzo, the Patriots stressed that political representation should be guided by fairness and inclusiveness rather than population claims alone.
The group appealed to the governor to review the current chairmanship arrangement and ensure equitable distribution of political offices across the local government, saying such a move would promote peace, unity and sustainable development in Isi-Uzo.
