Igbo Speaking Community Disowns Planned Chieftaincy Coronation Inside Lagos Military Barrack, Warns Public

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE 

The leadership of the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos State has distanced itself from a planned chieftaincy title coronation allegedly being organized inside a military barrack in Lagos, warning members of the public to disregard the exercise and invitations being circulated.

This is coming amid controversy over the alleged crowning of Obi Ndigbo of Lagos State by a former President of the Igbo Speaking Community, Chief Sunday Udeh, who is currently facing criminal trial over the matter.

According to information available to this newspaper, invitation messages are currently being sent to individuals across Lagos inviting them to attend a chieftaincy title conferment ceremony slated to hold inside a military barrack in the state.

The text messages, which are being circulated via WhatsApp and SMS to selected individuals, are allegedly inviting guests to witness the conferment of Igbo chieftaincy titles, despite existing state laws regulating chieftaincy matters in Lagos State.

Sources said the invitations are being sent out under the name of Chief Sunday Udeh, who has allegedly perfected plans to give more chieftaincy titles in the state.

Reacting to the development, the President General of the Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State, Chief Chukwudi Chinye, has issued a press release warning that the association has no connection with the purported coronation and the invitation messages in circulation.

Chinye stated categorically that the association has nothing to do with the purported coronation of chieftaincy titles Inside Military Barrack in Lagos State, and any individual or persons receiving chieftaincy title from the event does not emanate from the Igbo Speaking Community.

He explained that Chief Sunday Udeh is no longer the President General of the Igbo Speaking Community and therefore lacks the authority to act on behalf of the body in any capacity relating to chieftaincy titles or sending invitations for such events.

The President General further disclosed that the current executive council of the association has suspended the conferment of Nnoko Ndigbo and other related chieftaincy titles indefinitely, pending further review and compliance with relevant regulations.

He said the decision was taken to maintain peace, respect the laws of Lagos State, and avoid actions that could create tension among communities in the state.

Chinye emphasized that the Igbo Speaking Community is a law-abiding association that respects the authority of the Lagos State Government and its laws governing chieftaincy affairs.

He noted that the conferment of chieftaincy titles in Lagos State is regulated by law and no individual or group is permitted to confer such titles without following due process and obtaining necessary approvals.

The association therefore urged members of the public, particularly Ndigbo residing in Lagos, to disregard any invitation or announcement regarding chieftaincy title conferment inside a military barrack or any other location purportedly being organized by Chief Udeh.

It also warned those who have received the text message invitations not to honour them in the interest of peace and respect for the law.

Chinye also called on security agencies to take note of the development and ensure that law and order is maintained, stressing that military barracks are not traditional grounds for chieftaincy coronations.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the current leadership of the Igbo Speaking Community to promoting unity, peace and harmonious coexistence between Igbo residents and other ethnic groups in Lagos State.

The President General advised anyone seeking clarification on chieftaincy matters relating to the Igbo Speaking Community to contact the legitimate executive council of the association for authentic information.

It would be recalled that Chief Sunday Udeh is facing trial over allegations relating to the crowning of Obi Ndigbo of Lagos State, a matter that is currently before the court.