Nwanze Defends Ohanaeze Fact-Finding Committee

While every stakeholder has the right to express reservations, such reservations must be founded on verifiable facts and not insinuations capable of undermining the integrity of a national assignment.

First, it is important to ask: On what basis is the integrity of the committee being questioned, and by extension, the judgment of the National President-General who constituted it?

The President-General, in exercising his national leadership responsibility, established the committee to investigate the Lagos leadership crisis and provide an objective account of the issues.

To question the credibility of its membership merely on the allegation that some members are personal associates of Chief Evaristus Ozonweke is neither sufficient nor convincing evidence of bias, according to the rejoinder.

What exactly does the alleged personal relationship between Chief Ozonweke and any committee member have to do with the discharge of a national assignment? Does friendship automatically translate into professional compromise? If there is evidence of a conflict of interest, let it be presented. Otherwise, such allegations amount to an attempt to discredit individuals without establishing any wrongdoing.

More disturbing, according to the rejoinder, is the proposal that the President-General should abandon or bypass the fact-finding process and invite the contending parties to Ime-Obi for a direct determination.

One must ask: Why establish a fact-finding committee in the first place if its work can be discarded at the instance of a dissatisfied stakeholder? Why attempt to substitute an investigative process with a direct administrative hearing before the committee’s findings have been properly considered?

There are legitimate reasons to question whether this alternative proposal is intended to promote impartial justice or to avoid an independent examination of the circumstances surrounding the Lagos leadership crisis.

We must also remember that the Lagos crisis is not simply a disagreement over personalities or positions. It involves serious allegations concerning the conduct of the disputed election of 6 April 2026, alleged disobedience to subsisting court orders, the circumstances surrounding the emergence of competing leadership groups and the legitimacy of the processes adopted by the respective parties.

Where court orders and constitutional procedures are involved, no individual should expect personal influence or political negotiation to substitute for compliance with the law.

It is particularly important that the circumstances surrounding the election conducted in Lagos, including allegations of disorder and alleged disobedience to judicial directives, receive proper scrutiny. Those who participated in or benefited from the disputed process cannot reasonably demand that the national leadership bypass an independent investigation and proceed directly to a political settlement.

There have also been circulating unverified claims regarding members of the GEC. These claims have not been independently established and should not be treated as facts without evidence. Nevertheless, they reinforce the importance of a thorough and impartial investigation rather than an attempt to suppress the fact-finding process.

The question is: Who is afraid of an independent examination of the facts?

If every party is confident in the legality and legitimacy of its position, the committee’s investigation should be welcomed rather than resisted.

The National Fact-Finding Committee was not constituted to serve Chief Evaristus Ozonweke, Chief Leonard Okafor or any other individual. Its responsibility is to establish the facts and assist the National Leadership in arriving at a just, constitutional and sustainable resolution.

It would therefore be unfortunate if the committee’s work were subjected to unnecessary suspicion simply because its eventual findings might not favour a particular faction.

The principle that justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done applies to everyone. It cannot be invoked selectively to question the integrity of investigators while avoiding scrutiny of the actions of those whose conduct is under investigation.

We must not allow personal relationships, factional interests or the fear of possible findings to derail a process established in the collective interest of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

The National Fact-Finding Committee should be allowed to discharge its mandate without intimidation, interference or prejudgment. Its report should be examined objectively alongside relevant court orders, constitutional provisions and documentary evidence.

If any committee member is genuinely compromised, let the evidence be presented to the National President-General for appropriate consideration. But let nobody mistake unsubstantiated allegations for proof of misconduct.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo is an institution, not the private estate of any individual or faction. Its credibility must be protected, its constitution respected and its national leadership allowed to discharge its responsibilities without undue pressure.

The Lagos leadership crisis requires truth, accountability, constitutional order and respect for the rule of law. It does not require another round of political manoeuvring or an arrangement designed to circumvent an independent examination of the facts.

Let the committee complete its assignment. Let the National Leadership examine the evidence. Let justice prevail without fear or favour.

Peace without justice is merely a temporary arrangement, and unity without accountability is an illusion.

Apst. Patrick A. Nwanze, JP (Agu-Anioma)

President-General, Apex Association of Anioma Indigenes Inc. (Affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide)

Advocate of Rotational Leadership