KINGSLEY EBERE
Stakeholders and members of the Igbo community in Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, have disowned the claim by Chief Moses Amobichukwu Nwokoro that he is the new Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mosan-Okunola Chapter.
The stakeholders, in a statement made available to P.M.EXPRESS, said they do not recognize any election that purportedly produced Chief Nwokoro as Chairman.
Chief Nwokoro, who holds the title of Ohamadike Ndigbo of Mosan-Okunola LCDA, had earlier claimed that he emerged as Chairman following what he described as a peaceful, credible and transparent election. According to him, the election was conducted in conjunction with the Lagos State Executives of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Leonard Okafor, Oba Ojoto, in line with the constitution of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization.
However, the stakeholders have countered his claim, insisting that no valid election was held.
According to the stakeholders, Ohanaeze Ndigbo did not hold any election in Mosan-Okunola because there is a subsisting court order restraining elections in Lagos State.
They explained that the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide led by the President General has reiterated that there is no recognized Ohanaeze executive structure in Lagos State pending the determination of a court case between two factions laying claim to the leadership in the state.
“The position of Ohanaeze Worldwide is clear. There is a court case and until it is determined, no election should hold. Any election held now cannot be said to be that of Ohanaeze Ndigbo,” a stakeholder who pleaded anonymity said.
The stakeholders further stated that if any election was held as claimed by Chief Nwokoro, it may have been a private exercise conducted by him and his supporters and not an official election of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Mosan-Okunola LCDA.
The stakeholders also raised questions about eligibility, alleging that Chief Nwokoro has held leadership position in Mosan-Okunola for about eight years, which they argue is against the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that provides for term limits.
They said the constitution of the apex Igbo body does not allow for indefinite tenure and that any attempt to extend tenure beyond the constitutional provision would amount to a violation.
Chief Nwokoro, when contacted in the past, has always maintained that his leadership has brought peace and development to the Igbo community in Mosan-Okunola and that his emergence followed due process.
Consequently, the stakeholders have warned members of the public, government agencies, traditional institutions and business associates to be cautious in dealing with anyone claiming to be Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Mosan-Okunola LCDA in the name of Chief Moses Amobichukwu Nwokoro.
They stated that anyone who transacts business with him in that capacity does so at their own risk, pending clarification from the national leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and resolution of the court matter in Lagos.
They called on the Lagos State leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and the national body to urgently intervene in the matter to avoid breakdown of law and order and to prevent impersonation that could tarnish the image of the Igbo socio-cultural organization.
They also urged the Igbo community in Alimosho to remain calm and law-abiding and to await the decision of the court and official communication from Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to get a formal reaction from the Lagos State Executive led by Chief Leonard Okafor were still ongoing.
P.M.EXPRESS will continue to monitor developments in the Mosan-Okunola Ohanaeze leadership tussle and bring updates as events unfold.