Lagos Ohanaeze Leadership Crisis: Global Executive Council Decision Is Final – Chief Ozonweke Declares

KINGSLEY EBERE

The former Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State and Southwest Coordinator, Chief Everastus Ozonweke (Onowu), has declared that the decision of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Global Executive Council on the leadership crisis in Lagos State remains final and binding on all parties.

Chief Ozonweke made the clarification following recent controversies surrounding the leadership structure of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization in Lagos State.

He reiterated the position after the declaration by the President General of the apex organization, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, that there is currently no substantive leadership in Lagos State pending the outcome of various court cases.

Speaking on the development, Chief Ozonweke said all stakeholders must respect the position of the national leadership in order to restore peace and unity in the Lagos chapter.

“For now, there is no Ohanaeze executive in Lagos until all matters in court are resolved. Our PG, Senator Azuta-Mbata, has set up a committee to reconcile the factions and restore permanent peace to Lagos State Ohanaeze,” he said.

He further explained that the Global Executive Council under the leadership of Senator John Azuta-Mbata is taking proactive steps to end the protracted leadership tussle that has affected the activities of the organization in Lagos.

According to him, the Council is sending a powerful team to Lagos after the forthcoming Igbo Day celebration scheduled for September 29th, to meet with all stakeholders, reconcile grievances and restore permanent peace.

“For now, there is no Ohanaeze executive in Lagos until all matters in court are resolved. The Global Executive Council under Senator John Azuta-Mbata, is sending a team to Lagos, after the forthcoming Igbo Day on this September 29th, to meet with all stakeholders, reconcile grievances and restore permanent peace to Lagos State Ohanaeze,” Ozonweke stated.

Chief Ozonweke, who is a respected leader and former scribe of the organization in Lagos and the Southwest, noted that the decision was taken in the best interest of Ndigbo and to prevent further division.

He urged members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos to remain calm, law-abiding and to shun any form of activities that will bring more crises among members in Lagos State.

He warned that anyone parading himself as executive member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State at the moment is doing so against the directive of the national body and such action should be disregarded.

He said the Global Executive Council is the highest decision-making body after the Ime-Obi, and its decision on the Lagos leadership must be respected by all.

The Lagos chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has in recent times been embroiled in leadership disputes with several court cases instituted by different factions seeking control of the chapter.

The situation has led to division and conflicting activities, a development the national body said it is determined to resolve.

Chief Ozonweke expressed confidence that the intervention of the President General and the Global Executive Council will bring a lasting solution to the crisis and reposition the Lagos chapter for greater effectiveness.

He called on all Igbo leaders and stakeholders in Lagos to support the peace and reconciliation process being championed by Senator Azuta-Mbata for the unity and progress of Ndigbo in Lagos State and beyond.

He also appealed to the Igbo community in Lagos to participate actively in the forthcoming Igbo Day celebration on September 29th, which he described as an opportunity to showcase Igbo unity, culture and resilience.