_...Accuse Eha-Amufu of Monopolizing Political Positions_
_...Urge Gov. Mbah to Take Immediate Action_
Enugu, June 11, 2026 – A group of concerned citizens known as the Isi-Uzo Patriots has called on Governor Peter Mbah to reverse the recent allocation of another local government chairmanship position to Eha-Amufu, describing the move as an institutionalization of injustice in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area.
Addressing journalists in Enugu on Thursday, the Convener of the group, Mr. Dennis Agbo, stated that the May 28, 2026 decision to award the local government chairmanship to Eha-Amufu had polarized the five federating communities of Isi-Uzo and undermined the spirit of rotation and unity for which the area is known.
The group challenged Eha-Amufu’s claim of constituting half of Isi-Uzo’s population, presenting data from the 2023 governorship election and population projections to support a more balanced distribution of political offices.
INEC Data Cited
According to the group, voter turnout in the 2023 governorship election showed that Isi-Uzo Central recorded the highest participation rate at 27.3 percent, followed by Amanyi with 25.6 percent, while Eha-Amufu recorded 22.6 percent. They noted that none of the four Eha-Amufu wards reached the local government average turnout of 25.1 percent.
The Patriots stated that out of 78,634 registered voters across the 11 wards of the local government, 19,767 votes were cast. The Labour Party secured victory in the area with 11,482 votes, representing 58.1 percent of total votes cast, while the PDP polled 6,381 votes, representing 32.3 percent.
They further noted that although Eha-Amufu accounted for 45 percent of the total votes cast in the local government, the PDP performed better in Ikem and Neke wards.
Population Argument
Using the 2006 census figure of 148,415 and a 2022 population projection of 213,300, the group estimated Eha-Amufu’s population at approximately 126,000 people.
They argued that the combined population of Ikem, Mbu, Neke, and Umualor stands at about 151,000 people, yet those communities remain disadvantaged in the allocation of development centres and chairmanship positions.
The Patriots recalled that during the administration of Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, Eha-Amufu was allocated 39 percent of Isi-Uzo’s population, while Ikem and Umualor accounted for 30 percent, and Neke and Mbu for 31 percent. Based on that arrangement, three development centres were created.
They alleged that in 2015, under the administration of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a second development centre was created for Eha-Amufu without adequate consultation.
The group also listed political appointments and leadership positions held over the years, claiming that Eha-Amufu has produced more than seven council chairmen, while some communities have occupied the position only once, and Umualor has never produced a chairman since 1999.
Demand for Reversal
The Patriots demanded that the original three development centres be maintained and that the chairmanship position recently ceded to Eha-Amufu be withdrawn and returned to Isi-Uzo Central.
They further urged that political offices be opened to younger leaders and communities that have not previously enjoyed representation, warning against nominations driven by selfish interests or clannish considerations.
The group appealed to Governor Mbah not to be influenced by claims regarding Eha-Amufu’s population size, insisting that available data does not support such assertions and that political rotation in Isi-Uzo has never been based on inflated population 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.
