Igbo Stakeholders, Ohanaeze Executives Endorse Chief Solomon Aguene For 2nd Tenure

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The two-time former General Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State, Chief Thompson Chinenyeeze Ohia, has disclosed that Igbo critical stakeholders and Ohanaeze executives have endorsed Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene for second tenure given his outstanding performance as President.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Chief Ohia stated this at the Ohanaeze Secretariat in Sururele, Lagos State, while speaking on the state of the Ohanaeze in the State.

He also resolved the lingering misinformation on the tenure of the executives and zoning stating that there is nothing like zoning and that any executive member, who wishes to continue has the constitutional right to do so.

Chief Ohia sited the last election, which Chief Solomon Aguene from Ebonyi State contested against Tony Nwakeze and Leo Okafor from Anambra State and Aguene eventually won. 

Ohia, who served as General Secretary under the past Presidents of Ohanaeze in Lagos State namely Chief John Nzewi and Chief Oliver Akubueze, explained that the former President Chief Fabian Onwughalu from Anambra State contested against one Chief Egenti before Chief Onwughalu emerged as President.

“The issue of rotation and one tenure was not captured in the Constitution and it was deliberate so that the Igbo can have the best in leadership” he said. 

On the endorsement of Chief Aguene for second tenure, Ohia stated that among the past Presidents of Ohanaeze, he is the best and there is need for continuity for consolidation for the interest of Igbo in Lagos State since he is qualified to contest for second tenure. 

He stated that he was not surprised by the endorsements because his administration is the first time the Igbo were getting it right in Lagos State. He recalled that in the past, Ohanaeze meetings were conducted in houses and hotels but today it has address, where Igbo gather to discuss their affairs ditto Chief Aguene.

Chief Ohia, who is also the ex-official of Ohanaeze from Imo State, explained that Chief Aguene is good for the Igbo noting that he has empowered many people and assisted in paying medical bill for so many Igbo in various hospitals in Lagos State.

He stated that Chief Aguene has brought peace in various homes and Igbo groups in the State and that is why he goes by the name (Udo Chia Ndigbo) peace maker.

“The era of people coming to Ohanaeze to make money for themselves has gone because Chief Aguene has raised the bar of Igbo leadership to service to humanity.” Ohia stated.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the sterling performance of Chief Solomon Aguene may have secured him a second tenure following goodwill and endorsements coming from critical stakeholders.

The chairman of Igbo Council of traditional rulers a. k. a Ezendigbo, Lagos State, Eze (Sir) Chris Offia, publicly endorsed him during the Igbo Day Celebration and asked him to continue in office as President of the apex Igbo organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State. 

Eze Offia, who is also the Ezendigbo in Ibeji Lekki, explained that Chief Aguene has done so well since he assumed office and has taken Ohanaeze Ndigbo to the next level to the delights of the Igbo people in Lagos State.

Eze Offia stated that Chief Aguene is accepted by every Igbo person in Lagos State and he should continue because a winning team cannot be changed.

“I give him 100 percent support for him to continue and he will surely continue as President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,Lagos State” he said.

The Igbo APC chieftain, Chief Chris Ekwilo, captured the minds of the Igbo in Lagos State at different fora when he described Chief Aguene as prayer answered Ndigbo in Lagos State.

Chief Ekwilo explained that Aguene has touched many Igbo lives and connected NdIgbo to the Lagos State Government and for the first time the Igbo are given honour and respect as a group because of the leadership quality of Aguene.

The endorsement of Igbo king maker, Prince Chukwuemeka Onuoha may have finally sent strong signals to Igbo residents in Lagos including the traditional rulers, Council of elders, women, youths and other stakeholders, who are now in full support of Chief Aguene for second tenure for his ability at repositioning Ohanaeze in Lagos State.

Prince Onuoha, who holds the title of Ugwumba in Bende, Abia State and Obi Ndigbo in Igbo-Elerin in Lagos, stated that he endorsed Aguene for second tenure because he has done extremely well by displaying leadership by example and protecting the interests of Ndigbo in the State.

Chief Onuoha, also the Chairman/CEO Oman Logistics Limited, gave insight on the composition of the Ohanaeze and stated there is no rotation of power and single tenure, hinting that the position is open to every Igbo man including Chief Aguene if he wants to contest because he had only gone for one tenure.

He explained that he was a pioneer member of Ohanaeze Lagos State and had occupied many positions before Ezendigbo Gburugburu, late Dim Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, made him a king maker with two other persons after Ohanaeze was formed in 1998 in Lagos State. 

The Women wing of Ohanaeze has also joined in the agitation for Chief Aguene to contest for second tenure as they sing praises of him for his love and kindness to Igbo people in Lagos State.