Process That Led To Removal Of Chief Sunday Udeh As Igbo Speaking Community PG Revealed

KINGSLEY EBERE

The leadership crisis that rocked the Igbo Speaking Community of Lagos for months has been traced to six key issues, which eventually led to the removal of Chief Sunday Udeh as President General and the emergence of a new executive led by Chief Chukwudi Chinye.

Stakeholders who were present at the General Assembly meeting held at the National Headquarters in Lagos said the removal followed a series of petitions, queries, and failed attempts at reconciliation by the Board of Trustees.

According to documents and accounts from stakeholders, the first major issue was the crowning of an “Obi of Lagos State” by Chief Udeh. The ceremony is currently facing prosecution at the High Court, with stakeholders arguing that it undermined the unity and legal standing of Ndigbo in Lagos.

The second issue was the issuance of what was described as an “Ezendigbo Gburugburu” certificate to Eze Fred Nwajiagu. Community leaders said the title and certificate were issued without consultation with stakeholders and the Council of Ndieze, and it created confusion over who speaks for Ndigbo in Lagos.

Other allegations included indiscriminate issuing of certificates and failure to render financial account to the community.

Faced with these developments, concerned stakeholders said they wrote the first letter to the Board of Trustees, asking the BOT to investigate the allegations and take appropriate action to protect the image of the community. When there was no response, a reminder letter was also sent to the BOT.

Sources said that the BOT eventually acted by writing a formal query to Chief Sunday Udeh, asking him to explain his actions regarding the Obi of Lagos crowning and the Ezendigbo Gburugburu certificate.

In his reply, Chief Udeh reportedly told the BOT that he does not recognize the Board. He also claimed that he was the chairman of the BOT, despite records showing that his name was not listed with the Corporate Affairs Commission as a BOT member.

“That response was the breaking point,” a stakeholder said. “You cannot be facing serious allegations, get queried by the BOT, and then tell the same BOT that you don’t recognize them and that you are their chairman when CAC records do not support that claim.”

Following the breakdown in communication, the Secretary General, in conjunction with other members of the executive, convened a General Assembly meeting at the National Headquarters.

At the meeting, all the allegations were deliberated upon. After extensive debate, a vote of no confidence was moved against Chief Sunday Udeh and some other members of his executive. The motion was passed by members present.

Consequently, Chief Udeh and the affected executives were removed, and a new executive emerged. Chief Chukwudi Chinye was named as the new President General of the Igbo Speaking Community Lagos.

Stakeholders said the new leadership has since been presented to traditional rulers and key leaders, including Onyendu Peter Umeh, the traditional leader of Ndigbo in Mushin, who blessed the new executive and urged them to unite Ndigbo.

Members of the new executive have pledged to focus on unity, business protection, security of Igbos in Lagos, and engagement with the Lagos State Government.

Community elders said the process, though painful, was necessary to restore order and credibility to the Igbo Speaking Community. They called on all factions to sheathe their swords and support the new leadership for the progress of Ndigbo in Lagos.