CYRIACUS IZUEKWE
Igbo Leaders in Lagos State have finally resolved the Ezeship impasse caused by an imposter, Mr. Chimereze Emmanuel Chukwuakalikamadu, following the public recognition and endorsement of Eze Chukwukadibe Umenwekwe as the authentic Ezendigbo in Oriade LCDA in the State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that this came to bear after the residents of Oriade LCDA publicly denounced and rejected Chukwuakalikamadu, who decided to constitute nuisance by crowning himself as new Ezendigbo in the LCDA.
Apart from the Igbo living in Oriade LCDA, residents had disowned him, the Igbo leaders have rejected Chukwuakalikamadu and publicly endorsed Eze Umenwekwe as the Ezendigbo in Oriade LCDA with authentication of his recognition as one of Ezendigbo in Lagos State.
Among the Igbo leaders who endorsed Umenwekwe included Ezendigbo, Lagos State, Eze Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, Igbo Speaking Community led by Chief Sunday Udeh, Igbo Kingmakers led Chief John Uche and Oriade LCDA, who confirmed and gave him recognition having satisfied the requirements as Ezendigbo.
In the letter of authentication of Eze Chukwukadibe Umenwekwe by Eze Nwachukwu dated 24th October, 2022, it stated: “This is to certify and authenticate in my capacity as Ezendigbo, Lagos State that His Highness, Eze Chukwukadibe Umenwekwe, is the Ezendigbo /Eze Udo of Oriade LCDA in Amuwo Odofi Local Government of Lagos State”.
Eze Nwachukwu went further to authenticate some of the documents attesting that Eze Umenwekwe is the only recognized Ezendigbo in Oriade LCDA which included, letter of recognition by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State led by Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene duly signed by Chief Aguene and Ohanaeze General Secretary, Chief Everest Ozonweke.
Igbo Kingmakers, led by Chief John Uche, also wrote letter of recognition confirming Eze Umenwekwe as Ezendigbo in Oriade LCDA in a letter they sent to the DSS and Nigerian Police dated 24th November, 2021 while Igbo Community Lagos State led by Chief Sunday Udeh gave Eze Umenwekwe certificate of recognition dated 13th July, 2019 and signed by Chief Udeh and his secretary, Engr Chukwuma Odumegwu respectively.
Also Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Oriade LCDA also gave letter of recognition to Eze Umenwekwe in a letter dated 20th October, 2021 and signed by the then Chairman, Prince Alexander Ezeobi and Secretary, Chief Victor Nnotum which was recognized by Oriade LCDA and Council of Ndieze in Lagos State.
This was confirmed by Eze Umenwekwe, who described the public displaying of Ohanaeze certificate by Chukwuakalikamadu as laughable because he is not recognized as Ezendigbo in both in Oriade LCDA and Lagos State.
He explained that even the present Ohanaeze Vice Chairman in Oriade LCDA, Chief Victor Nnotum, was the Secretary then who signed the letter of recognition given to him by Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Oriade LCDA.
He warned members of the public to be wary of fake people parading themselves as Ezendigbo because their aim is to defraud innocent people as the recent display of absurdity in Oriade LCDA by some disgruntled elements, who decided to constitute nuisance in the area.