Isi-Uzo Patriots Accuse Eha-Amufu of Monopolizing Political Positions, Urge Gov. Mbah to Reverse Chairmanship Allocation

A group of concerned citizens known as the Isi-Uzo Patriots has called on Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah to reverse the recent ceding of another local government chairmanship position to Eha-Amufu, describing it as an institutionalization of injustice in Isi-Uzo LGA.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, in Enugu, Convener of the group, Mr. Dennis Agbo, said said that the May 28, 2026 decision of awarding local government Chairmanship to Eha-Amufu has polarized the five federating communities of Isi-Uzo and undermined the spirit of rotation and unity that the area is known for.

The Patriots challenged Eha-Amufu’s claim to be half of Isi-Uzo’s population, using data from the 2023 governorship election and population projections to argue for a more balanced distribution of political offices.

INEC data cited

Citing turnout from the 2023 governorship election, the group said Isi-Uzo Central recorded the highest voter participation at 27.3 percent, followed by Amanyi at 25.6 percent, while Eha-Amufu recorded 22.6 percent. None of the four Eha-Amufu wards reached the LGA average turnout of 25.1 percent.

Of the 78,634 registered voters across 11 wards, 19,767 votes were cast. Labour Party won the LGA with 11,482 votes, or 58.1 percent, against PDP’s 6,381 votes, or 32.3 percent. While Eha-Amufu delivered 45 percent of all votes cast, PDP performed better in Ikem and Neke wards.

Population argument

Using the 2006 census figure of 148,415 and a 2022 projection of 213,300, the group estimated Eha-Amufu’s population at about 126,000. They argued that combining Ikem, Mbu, Neke, and Umualor gives about 151,000 people, yet these communities are disadvantaged in the allocation of development centers and chairmanship positions.

They recalled that during Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani’s administration, Eha-Amufu was placed at 39 percent of Isi-Uzo, with Ikem and Umualor at 30 percent and Neke and Mbu at 31 percent. Based on this, three development centers were created. They accused the 2015 administration of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of creating a second Eha-Amufu development center without consultation.

The Patriots also listed political appointments, noting that Eha-Amufu has produced over seven council chairmen, while some communities have held the position only once and Umualor has never held it since 1999.

Demand for reversal

The group demanded that the original three development centers be maintained and that the wrongly ceded chairmanship be withdrawn and returned to Isi-Uzo Central. They also urged that positions be opened to younger leaders and to communities that have not had representation, warning against nominations based on selfish or clannish considerations.

They appealed to Governor Mbah not to be swayed by claims about Eha-Amufu’s population, saying the data does not support it, and that rotation in Isi-Uzo has never been based on inflated figures.

“We are saying that those who worked painstakingly for Governor Peter Mbah’s election should not be undermined and put under those who fought tooth and nail against his victory,” the group stated.