KINGSLEY EBERE
The battle for the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos chapter presidency has intensified with two millionaire brothers from Ojoto town, Anambra State, declaring their aspirations.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the two brothers, Chief Emmanuel Ubah (Otunba Ojoto) and Chief Leonard Okafor (Oba Ojoto), are vying for the position with both receiving royal blessings from Igbo traditional leaders in Lagos.
Chief Okafor (Oba Ojoto) declared his intention after persuasion at the Palace of Ezendigbo, Lagos State, Eze Christian Nwachukwu. He received royal blessing from Ndieze and some critical stakeholders present at the meeting.
Almost at the same period, Chief Ubah (Otunba Ojoto) received royal blessing from Eze Gerald Onuchukwu (Jericho), Eze Ohazuruye 1 of Eti Osa LGA with his key stakeholders.
The battle between the two brothers was said to be getting tougher and complex as both were said to have enormous influence and resources for the battles ahead of the election and none wants to step down.
Their town union both in Lagos and at their home town were said to be divided among themselves. While a group linked to their traditional ruler was said to be supporting the Otunba Ojoto, another group said to be captains of industry are giving their support to Oba Ojoto and have already promised to build a befitting Ohanaeze Ndigbo civic center in Lagos State if Oba Ojoto is elected as the president.
However, the powerful Igbo leaders circle led by Ichie Anselm Njoku, Eze Uche Dimgba and others were said to have marshalled out strategy to ensure that Otunba Ojoto wins the election.
But they are facing resistance from the likes of Eze Christian Nwachukwu, Bishop Femi Ferguson, Chief John Uche, Eze Oparaku, who are backing Oba Ojoto morally and spiritually to ensure his victory.
As it stands, Otunba Ojoto has received both moral and spiritual support from Ohanaeze Ndigbo Spiritual Director, Prophetess Adaobi Orjiakor Nnukwu Ezenwanyi in Alimosho LGA, who has even donated a cow for the victory party.
The battle has since shifted to the Local Government area in the State, where their supporters are locking horns, mobilizing people at the grassroots, who are said to be the real voters during the election.
Oba Ojoto’s group grassroots mobilization is led by the National Coordinator of Ndigbo Media Forum, Rev Paul Eze, while Otunba Ojoto’s group is led by Nze Edwin Egboka, who is chairman of Oriade LCDA and Chairman of all Chairmen before the Ohanaeze factions embraced peace and came together in order to conduct the election.
The manifesto of the two aspirants appears similar, loud and clear -To restore peace and harmony in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, to build a befitting Civic Centre and have a constitution that will be acceptable by all. The onus now is on the electorate to decide among the two aspirants who to vote for.