Umualor community in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State is currently crying out over what they described as undue marginalization being meted to them on issues relating to political empowerment and distribution of social amenities.
The community while noting that they have never held any elective position in Isi-Uzo since the beginning of the world expressed their bitter feelings through a well-articulated flier they unanimously produced showcasing how political positions were held since the creation of the council area.
According to Umualor, Isi-Uzo is made up of five communities namely, Neke, Mbu, Eha-Amufu, Ikem and Umualor adding that they were the most marginalized community among the five communities that make up the council area.
They explained that in a bid to ensure that activities of government got closer to the people, the state government divided Isi-Uzo LGA into four development areas, thus having Eha-Amufu Development Area until 2017 when Eha-Amufu West Development Area was created.
The remaining Development Centre’s are Amanyi Development Area comprising of Neke and Mbu communities and Isi-Uzo Central Development Area comprising of Ikem and Umualor communities.
According to Umualor, in 1999 when democratic rule was reinstituted in Nigeria, the House of Assembly position was zoned to Isi-Uzo Development Area with Hon. Dr. Kingsley Ebenyi emerging as the occupant of the assembly seat from Ikem.
In 2003, the House of Assembly seat was zoned to Amanyi Development Area with Hon. Edith Nnamani from Mbu emerging as the occupant of the seat till 2011 from where Hon. Dr. Emeka Ogbuabor from Eha-Amufu Development Area emerged as the occupant of the assembly seat from 2011 to date on the strength of zoning.
Considering the above developments, the people of Umualor are of the opinion that they should be giving the opportunity to produce the assembly seat since it was the turn of Isi-Uzo Central Development Area to produce the assembly seat in the forthcoming 2019 general elections.
“The seat should be zoned to Umualor since Ikem community had produced an occupant of the House of Assembly seat in 1999. It is important to inform the public that Ikem community in Isi-Uzo Development Area has enjoyed positions of the House of Assembly seat 1999-2003; Executive Chairman of Isi-Uzo 2007-2011; Party Chairman from 2011-2018 and House of Representatives seat from 2011 to date.” They explained.
The people of Umualor while noting that apart from the fact that they have not held any elective position in Isi-Uzo LGA since the beginning of the world, they were also unjustly treated in the distribution of social amenities adding that the good people of Isi-Uzo Local Government Area, the state governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party should unanimously consider their plight and support them in the 2019 general elections to produce the occupant of the House of Assembly for Isi-Uzo state constituency.
While noting that an injury to one is an injury to all, Umualor community commended the state government under the leadership of Governor Ugwuanyi for introducing a people-oriented leadership that ensures equity and justice in all its activities.
They maintained that a support to Umualor would be greatly appreciated as it will no doubt help in the development of the area that has suffered neglect both in political empowerment and distribution of social amenities.
