5 Ndieze Jostle For Ezendigbo Lagos State As Ndigbo Bid Farewell To Late Eze Ohazuruike 

KINGSLEY EBERE 

Five Ndieze may have emerged to battle for the position of Ezendigbo, Lagos State as Ndigbo bid farewell to late Eze Hyacinth Ohazuruike at the weekend during his last Ofalla festival. 

P.M.EXPRESS reports that the five suggested candidates are Eze Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, Eze Lawrence Nnamdi Eze, Eze Uche Dimgba, Eze  Frederick Nwajagu and Eze Chris Offia.

The aforementioned were said to be jostling for the position to replace late Eze Ohazuruike who passed on and has been buried.

The quest for the next Ezendigbo Lagos State manifested during the last Ofalla festival of Late Ohazuruike, where the contenders with their supporters turned out in good numbers to register their presence with subtle campaigns.

Top among the dignitaries present included the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Ndieze in Lagos State,  Eze Lawrence Nnamdi Eze, Eze Chris Offia,  Eze Uche Dimgba, Eze Geoffrey Juruigbo, Ohanaeze President, Chief Solomon Aguene, the Igbo Speaking community president, Chief Sunday Udeh, various Igbo associations, market men and women, captains of industry among other Igbo leaders.

Eze Christian Nwachukwu also led his Igbo Community association to the event, which climaxed with praises and commendations of late Ohazuruike for his contributions to humanity and indeed Ndigbo while he was alive.

The five Ndieze jostling to replace Ohazuruike were all present at the event with their Council members to pay their last respect to Eze Ohazuruike.

Chances Of Candidates:

1. Eze Uche Dimgba :

It appears that Eze Uche Dimgba was battle ready to be crowned Ezendigbo Lagos State, his supporters have already started campaigning for him both privately and publicly. Among his supporters  is a top APC Igbo politician,  Chief Chris Ekwilo, who has been campaigning for Dimgba and declared that he was the type of Ezendigbo needed to lead Ndigbo in Lagos State.

However, there are contentious issues following Eze Dimgba over his Ezeship.  Some of the Igbo leaders, who spoke to P.M.EXPRESS said he is not qualified for the position because of  his status as Eze Udo, which is a Chief class title given to him by late Eze Ohazuruike, which may disqualify him.

According to some Ndieze, who spoke on condition of anonymity, they said an Eze Udo does not have any voting rights among Ndieze during meetings and wondered how Chief Ekwilo deemed it fit to be campaigning for him to become Ezendigbo Lagos State. It was not certain how his supporters will explain the reservation by some Igbo critical stakeholders.

2. Eze Frederick Nwajagu:

Some Ndigbo leaders recognized his courage, confidence and boldness to speak for Ndigbo. However, Eze Nwajagu may stand disqualified because of the recent Lagos State High Court   judgment, which convicted and jailed him for parading himself as Ezendigbo in Lagos. The judgment has not been appealed, and the status as an ex-convict is still following him until he vacates the judgment.

3. Eze Nwachukwu:

Eze Nwachukwu appears to be among the oldest Ezendigbo in Lagos State and he has his supporters, who are agitating that he should naturally take the position because both him and late Ohazuruike fought the battle for Ezendigbo, which factionized Ndigbo for several years.

Among Eze Nwachukwu’s supporters are Ndigbo Media Forum led by Rev Paul Eze. They urged that since nature (death) has resolved the issue between Eze Nwachukwu and Late Ohazuruike, it was time to unite and allow him to continue as Ezendigbo Lagos State. However,  many of the stakeholders disagree and want another person to be crowned as Ezendigbo Lagos State.

4. Eze Chris Offia :

Eze Chris Offia may have the same issue  with Eze Uche Dimgba because he was said to be a product of Eze Udo title, which is a Chief class. Members of the Eze Udo class had been agitating for them to have voting rights among Ndieze but it was not achieved before Ohazuruike passed on. Again what may work against him is the latest declaration by the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Mbata declaring Chief Solomon Aguene as Authentic Ohanaeze president in Lagos State. Eze Offia later joined forces with Chief Sunday Ossai by recognizing Ossai as president. It was not certain if Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State will support him.

5. Eze Lawrence Nnamdi Eze:

Eze Lawrence Nnamdi Eze is Ezendigbo in Alimosho Local Government and Chairman Supreme Council of Ndieze back by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State led by Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene. He is also recognized by the Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos as first class Eze in Lagos State. He has the experience and has been appointed as a member of the Federal Medical Center, Nguru in Yobe State by the Federal Government.

Eze Lawrence’s strength may be his strong hold on tradition and culture of Ndigbo which he has demonstrated over the years.

However, it was not certain if he will accept to replace late Ohazuruike but some Igbo leaders believe that Ndigbo will need someone who will uphold the culture and tradition of Ndigbo at this period it is dwindling.

There are other Ndieze being suggested including Chairman Council of Ndieze Lagos State, Eze Chika Nwokedi, Eze Alex Nwoye, Chairman Council of Ezendigbo, Chairman Council of Ezendigbo,Eze Agbowodikeizu Nwalozie, Eze Prosper Chukwuka, Eze Emmanuel Chukwuakalikamadu, Emmanuel Ojukwu and others.