By Williams Odunze
In a frantic bid to get fair share in distribution of political positions in Imo State, a group , Isu Nation Convention has in serious terms, demanded that the Isu clan should be given fair treatment in the present distribution of political positions in Imo State, come 2027.
The group made the demand following what it described as long years of neglect in power sharing among the major blocks in the State.
In a communique made available to Journalists after its executive meeting in Owerri,at the weekend ,the group’s National President ,Rt.Hon. Okey Dike stated that Isu Clan has faced a lot of political marginalization since the beginning of the fourth republic in 1999 despite its numerical strength and crucial roles in advancing the political developments of the State.
The National President also hinted that major political positions have been denied Isu clan starting from the number one seat( governorship) of the State down to the position of speakership.
Hon.Dike noted that virtually all blocks in the State have tested one political position or the other except the Isu Clan.
He wondered what could be their crime.
“The Isu Clan, comprising of four LGAs and some parts of Orlu which by the current distribution of LGAs in Imo State equals half of Owerri Zone, two third of Okigwe Zone and more than one third of the current Orlu Zone, yet has not produced a Governor, Deputy Governor, Senator, Speaker, Secretary of the State Government or even an Attorney General in the past 25 years of the Fourth Republic” he stated.
The Isu National Convention President, added that the Clan, currently remains the most deprived and marginalized group in Orlu Zone and the State in general , even as he vowed that the political travesty must be addressed, come 2027.
Reacting on the present Charter of Equity, the group maintained that it supports the charter but pointed out that it cannot be effectively implemented if other neglected areas are not incorporated to give it a wider outreach.
The group further observed that the charter only centered on the Governorship position while neglecting other political positions where injustice is being meted on some groups especially Isu Clan.
Adding his voice, the Chairman Board of Trustees, BoT, of the group, one time National President Academic Staff Union of Nigeria Universities, ASUU, Prof.Ukachukwu Awuzie, said that the marginalization of the Clan is long over due and is high time it is stopped.
He informed that the group has started sensitizing the people from the block mostly the youths on the importance of participating in the current Voters Registration exercise.
Prof.Awuzie maintained that with the numerical strength of the Clan, it can form a formidable political block that will compel other blocks to identify with it in any political contest.
The group further added that the Clan should be given the right of first refusal for every other position apart from that of Governorship.
Concerning the continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the Isu Nation said that it support any move that will grant his release, as it appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinibu to ensure his immediate release inorder to forster peace in the South-East region.
The meeting was attended by other executive members which included, the Vice President, Barr. Ifeanyi Olumba, the Secretary, Sir. Austine Otuokere, the Assistant Secretary, Rt.Hon.Innocent Onwuemenyi, the BoT Secretary, Barr. Chris Duru.
Others include, Chief Okey Njoku, ex Naval Officer, Prof.Protus Uzorma, Nze Don Okwu, the group legal adviser, Barr.Hyacinth Mbachu, Prof.Patrick Egbule, Prof.Chukwumezie, Chief Mike Ibeawuchi , Rt. Hon.Chuma Nnaji. Ernest Nwigbo, and others.
