_By Onyiba Shepherdman Iyioku_
14/06/2026.
"What is that precious treasure which grows stronger when shared, conquers mountains when united, but crumbles into dust when divided?"
The answer is unity.
Unity is the invisible cord that binds a people together in times of uncertainty. It is the mighty river formed by countless streams flowing towards a common destiny. It is the pillar upon which communities erect their dreams and the shield with which societies defend their collective interests.
Wherever unity reigns, progress follows as faithfully as a shadow follows its owner. But where division is sown through reckless rhetoric and narrow interests, suspicion blossoms, trust evaporates, and the commonwealth suffers.
History teaches us that no community has ever attained greatness by fighting itself. A house divided against itself becomes vulnerable to every storm. A people distracted by internal quarrels often surrender opportunities that should have propelled them forward. It is against this backdrop that one must carefully examine the recent agitation by a small group of individuals from Ikem Town who parade themselves as the Isi-Uzo Patriots over the emergence of High Chief Brendan Nnaemeke Ani of Eha-Amufu West Development Centre as the APC Chairmanship candidate for the forthcoming Local Government elections in Enugu State.
At the heart of their grievance lies the argument that the Chairmanship position ought to have been zoned to Isi-Uzo Central Development Centre, comprising Ikem and Umualor towns. They contend that since the current Council Chairman, Barr. Obiora Obeagu, hails from Eha-Amufu East Development Centre, the office should not remain within Eha-Amufu territory through the candidacy of Chief Brendan Ani from Eha-Amufu West.
While every citizen reserves the right to hold political opinions, it is important that public discourse is guided by facts, fairness, and historical context rather than emotions and selective narratives.
The foundation of justice is equity, and equity demands that all stakeholders be viewed through the same lens.
Isi-Uzo Local Government Area comprises four Development Centres—Isi-Uzo Central, Amanyi, Eha-Amufu East, and Eha-Amufu West. These four entities are equal partners in the political arrangement of the council. Therefore, any conversation about zoning and power rotation must recognize each Development Centre as an independent stakeholder rather than collapsing some into larger political blocs while elevating others for convenience.
What makes the current agitation particularly troubling is its deliberate omission of historical realities. Since 1999, Isi-Uzo Central Development Centre, despite being only one Development Centre, would have occupied elective positions for a cumulative period of twenty years by June next year. This includes four years as Council Chairman, eight years in the House of Representatives, and eight years in the State House of Assembly.
In contrast, Eha-Amufu, which consists of two Development Centres and possesses significantly larger demographic strength, would have occupied elective positions for twenty-two years between 1999 to September 2026. These comprise ten years as Council Chairman, eight years in the State House of Assembly, and four years in the House of Representatives.
When viewed against the backdrop of population and political demography, the facts reveal that Isi-Uzo Central has enjoyed representation far exceeding what simplistic narratives of the so called Eha-Amufu "dominance" would suggest. Political demography remains a critical factor in democratic systems across Nigeria and indeed the world. Yet, despite Eha-Amufu's numerical advantage, the distribution of elective positions over the years has clearly shown that it is rather Isi-Uzo central that has monopolized power at the expense of other development centres in Isi-Uzo.
Even more revealing is the situation within Isi-Uzo Central itself. Of the twenty years of elective positions enjoyed by Isi-Uzo Central, Ikem Town alone has accounted for sixteen years, while Umualor Town, despite being a legitimate partner within the Development Centre, only secured meaningful participation in 2023 through the emergence of Hon. Gabriel Lebechi Eze, facilitated by Chief Barr. Chijioke Jonathan Edeoga and aided significantly by the goodwill and support of Eha-Amufu people.
This reality raises an unavoidable moral question: if advocates of equity seek justice from others, where is the equity within their own political household? If power rotation is sacred, should it not first be practiced at home before it is demanded elsewhere? The timeless maxim remains true: he who comes to equity must come with clean hands.
Beyond the statistics lies an even deeper historical truth. It was not Eha-Amufu that breached the original understanding regarding the rotation of the Chairmanship position between Eha-Amufu and Igbo Eno. Following the completion of Dr. Sam Ugwu's tenure in 2011, the expectation under the prevailing arrangement was for the position to return to Eha-Amufu. However, political realities of the time truncated it.
Rather than allowing the agreed rotation to continue, influential political actors from Ikem leveraged their relationship with the then Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Sullivan Chime, to alter the framework entirely. The narrative shifted from rotational sharing between Eha-Amufu and Igbo Eno to a Development Centre-by-Development Centre arrangement. In the process, Eha-Amufu, despite having the number of two Development Centres, was politically compressed into a single bloc while Igbo Eno benefited from the new interpretation which gave them two development centres which by reality of political demography was a calculated plot against Eha-Amufu.
The eventual emergence of Chief Augustine Nnamani following Dr. Sam Ugwu's tenure was therefore not merely an accident of politics but the outcome of a deliberate political realignment that fundamentally altered the existing agreement among brothers.
It is therefore ironic that some of the loudest voices now invoking fairness were silent when agreements were being rewritten to serve some narrow political interests. Selective memory may be useful in politics, but it is rarely useful in the pursuit of justice.
More concerning is the persistent attempt by a few individuals to portray Eha-Amufu's demographic strength as a burden rather than a blessing. Across every democratic society, population size naturally influences political calculations and resource allocation. To continuously weaponize Eha-Amufu's numerical advantage against it amounts to punishing a community for a blessing bestowed upon it by providence.
The recent calls urging the Governor of Enugu State to reverse his decision regarding the APC Chairmanship ticket are therefore unfortunate and deeply regrettable. Such actions risk sowing unnecessary discord at a time when unity should be our greatest asset.
Rather than viewing High Chief Brendan Nnaemeke Ani through the narrow lens of sectional politics, Isi-Uzo should recognize in him a bridge-builder and an opportunity for collective advancement. Chief Ani is not merely a politician; he is an accomplished businessman whose success across multiple sectors has equipped him with invaluable experience in enterprise development, wealth creation, youth empowerment, and strategic leadership.
His emergence presents an opportunity to attract investments, inspire entrepreneurship, and mobilize successful sons and daughters of Isi-Uzo towards a common developmental agenda.
His extensive experience in managing businesses and creating opportunities positions him uniquely to contribute meaningfully to community development and inclusive growth.
At a time when young people yearn for opportunities and communities seek sustainable development, leaders with practical experience in wealth creation deserve encouragement rather than hostility.
Politics, it is often said, is local. It is equally true that every political struggle contains elements of self-interest. Yet there comes a point when personal ambitions must yield to collective aspirations. The future of Isi-Uzo is too important to be sacrificed on the altar of bitterness, resentment, or sectional rivalry.
The road to greatness has never been paved by division. It has always been built by men and women willing to place community above self and progress above prejudice.
Therefore, I call upon members of the so-called Isi-Uzo Patriots, community leaders, traditional rulers, stakeholders, women, youths, and all well-meaning citizens of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area to embrace the spirit of reconciliation and unity. Let us rally behind High Chief Brendan Nnaemeke Ani and all our party's candidates—from our dear Governor to our candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, State House of Assembly, and Local Government Council.
Let us reject narratives that divide and embrace visions that unite.
For when brothers pull together, mountains become molehills. When communities stand as one, obstacles become stepping stones. And when a people choose unity over discord, history remembers them not for their quarrels but for their achievements.
Let us remember always that united we stand, divided we fall.
May God bless Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, guide her leaders, and grant her people the wisdom to choose unity, justice, and progress above all else.
