KINGSLEY EBERE
A leadership tussle has emerged within the Ndigbo in APC, Ejigbo Chapter, ahead of its planned press conference and endorsement programme for President Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates scheduled for November 1, 2026.
The disagreement is between two factions laying claim to the coordination of Ndigbo activities in Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA).
One group is led by Dr. Vivian Sunshine Obi, who is identified as Coordinator and Convener of the Ndigbo in APC Steering Committee, Ejigbo Chapter, alongside Hon. Nelly Okafor as Leader.
The group has announced a press conference and endorsement of PBAT-KOH and all APC candidates slated for November 1, 2026, at the APC Secretariat, Ejigbo. The event lists Hon. Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo, Ejigbo LCDA Council Chairman, and Hon. Omoniyi Ismail Oluwaseun, APC LGA Chairman, Ejigbo LCDA, as special guests.
In a separate invitation, another group led by Chief Odinaka Iwu is also organizing an event for Ndigbo in APC Ejigbo LCDA in conjunction with the Igbo Community in Ejigbo.
Chief Iwu, who is identified as Director of Ethnic Groups in Ejigbo for Hon. Obe, is championing the presentation of Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello (OBE) as candidate for House of Representatives (MHR) for Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency.
His event is scheduled for Sunday, November 1, 2026, by 12 noon at Nnokwa Hall, NNPC Bus Stop, Ejigbo.
The development has created confusion among members of the Igbo community in Ejigbo, with both sides inviting supporters to different venues on the same date.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, a chieftain of APC in Ejigbo said the situation is being looked into by the party leadership to avoid embarrassment to the party.
“What we are seeing is a matter of coordination and recognition. The party leadership in Ejigbo LCDA is aware of both groups and is making efforts to harmonize them. Ndigbo in APC is an important support group and we cannot afford division, especially as we approach endorsement season,” the chieftain said.
Sources within the Ejigbo APC Secretariat said efforts are ongoing to bring Dr. Obi, Hon. Okafor, and Chief Iwu to a roundtable before November 1 to agree on a unified programme.
“The LGA Chairman, Hon. Omoniyi Ismail Oluwaseun, and the Council Chairman, Hon. Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo, are working together to ensure that there is one strong and united Ndigbo in APC in Ejigbo. The goal is to support PBAT and all APC candidates, including Hon. Obe for Oshodi/Isolo. The interest is the same, only the approach is different,” a source said.
Members of the Igbo community in Ejigbo have appealed for peace and unity, noting that the APC has always given Ndigbo a sense of belonging in Lagos.
“We are all APC. We all want progress to continue. Whether it is Dr. Vivian Obi, Hon. Nelly Okafor, or Chief Odinaka Iwu, we are all working for the same party. We should not fight. We should come together and endorse our candidates in one voice,” Mrs. Chika Okoro, a trader at Ejigbo Market, said.
As of the time of filing this report, both groups have insisted their programmes will hold as scheduled on November 1.
Party leaders say a final decision on the venue and unified leadership structure is expected before the end of the week.