CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
The Apex Igbo organization, Ohaneze Ndigbo Lagos State led by the amiable President, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, has taken another decisive step in uniting the Igbo by collapsing all Igbo political groups into Ohanaeze Political Forum inaugurated recently led by Chief Chris Ekwilo.
P.M.EXPRESS reports to the effect that Igbo APC in Lagos State led by Chief Joe Igbokwe and Eze Uche Dimgba and other groups have now been collapsed under one umbrella known as Igbo Political Forum.
This was the decision of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State comprising the Supreme Council of traditional rulers a.k.a Ezendigbo in the State, to forestall what had happened in the past where all manners of characters will be parading themselves as political leaders but in the real sense pursuing their selfish interests.
The four groups, which initially came together to form Igbo in APC were United Coalition led by Chief Chris Ekwilo, Mandate led by Chief Anselm Udoka, while Vision was led by Babatata Uche and Southeast as represented by Chief (Lady) Ann Ogwueleka.
The leaders of the groups, who were mainly the political actors in Igbo APC, have since agreed and collapsed their structure, into Ohanaeze Ndigbo Political Forum with Chief Chris Ekwilo emerging as Chairman, Chief Udoka, Deputy Chairman, Chief Smart Onyia as Secretary, Chief Solomon Chukwu, Treasurer, Chief Babatata Uche as Organizing Secretary while Lolo Chinyere Fanorot the Women Leader and others.
This was confirmed by the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief Solomon Aguene, who explained that Ohanaeze was apolitical and so there was need to create the political wing, which will be handling political matters on behalf of Ndigbo in Lagos State.
He said in the past, some characters will present themselves as Igbo leaders presenting videos and photographs that they have followers which were false.
He said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo has given the directive and there has been total compliance as the political actors have accepted the decision and have come together under one umbrella.
Aguene stated that any individual or group that goes contrary to the decision will not be recognized by Ndigbo and the appropriate authorities including Lagos State Government will be notified on the decision so that they will know who to deal with in the future.
The Chairman of the Political Forum, Chief Ekwilo stated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State has spoken and there has been total compliance to the directive.
He explained that the implications of the decision are that Igbo in APC, which comprised of four groups namely Coalition, Mandate, Vision and Southeast has been collapsed under Ohanaeze Ndigbo Political Forum and the Igbo are now united to speak with one voice.
He explained that the Forum will accommodate everyone and he will pioneer the affairs of the Forum with every sense of honesty, transparency and integrity under the supervision of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State led by Chief Aguene.
View Comments
Good move initiated by our president High Chief Solomon Ogbonna.
It is good to have a political arm in Ohanaeze. In Ohanaeze Ado-Langbas-Badore ward we have such and it help in reducing fracas we often had during Election.