KINGSLEY EBERE
A faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State led by Chief Robert Obasi has faulted Chief Leonard Okafor, also known as Oba Ojoto, over claims to the presidency of the group in Lagos, alleging that the process violated a court order and constitutional procedure.
In a statement signed by Chief Obasi, Secretary General of the faction, the group said it was compelled to respond to a recent broadcast by Chief Okafor to correct what it described as misrepresentation of facts concerning Ohanaeze leadership in Lagos.
According to the statement, the election of April 6, 2026, which Chief Okafor relies on for his mandate, was conducted in disregard of a subsisting order of the Lagos High Court. The faction said the legal effect of proceeding with an election despite a court order is clear in law.
Chief Obasi’s group further alleged that the April 6 election was not supervised by the Enugu Global Headquarters of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, contrary to established tradition. It claimed a December 2025 letter from the Global Headquarters directing that no election be held without its notification was concealed until after the election.
The statement said the electoral process for Ohanaeze Lagos is structured to begin from Local Government areas and end at the state level. It alleged that this sequence was bypassed in order to achieve a predetermined outcome.
The faction stated that Chief Okafor cannot present himself as President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos because the requirements for a legitimate mandate were not met at the meeting held on April 6, 2026, at Enugwu-Ukwu Hall.
It also disputed Chief Okafor’s claim to be the only existing Ohanaeze structure in Lagos. The statement noted that his broadcast acknowledged engagement with another group, which it described as the mainstream Ohanaeze structure in the state.
On grassroots support, Chief Obasi’s faction said the duly elected Local Government Chairmen are not with Chief Okafor. It added that meetings held across different locations do not amount to grassroots acceptance but an attempt to secure legitimacy for a process it considers invalid.
The statement alleged that crowds mobilized for Chief Okafor’s events were drawn from another association called “Igbo Speaking” and not from established Ohanaeze structures, which it said has created confusion at the grassroots.
The group referenced an audio message from the President-General, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, during a visit to Lagos. It said the PG stated that because the matter was before the court, he would respect the judicial process, and noted expiration dates of consent judgments involving Chief Solomon Ogbonna and Chief Sunday Ossai.
The faction cited a December 2025 directive from the Global Executive Council instructing both leaders not to conduct elections without notification after their tenure. It said it believes Chief Okafor was aware of the directive.
Chief Obasi’s faction reaffirmed allegiance to Senator Azuta-Mbata and the Global Executive Council. It stated that it will only recognize leaders produced through a lawful electoral process conducted under the supervision of the Global Headquarters, and urged that the rule of law be allowed to prevail.