Ohanaeze Ndigbo Begins Selling Of Forms For LG Election In Lagos State 

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State led by the amiable president, Chief Solomon Aguene, has concluded plans for the selling of forms for the Local Government elections in Lagos State.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that it was the decision of the General Assembly of Ohanaeze Lagos State during their meeting at Calvary Hall in Surulere on Wednesday. 

The decision followed an agreement between the Ohanaeze Lagos State and Ohanaeze Worldwide, which consented to it that it was the right of the leadership of Ohanaeze Lagos State to conduct the election while Ohanaeze worldwide will only act as observer during the election. 

This was disclosed by Chief Aguene and Chairman of Electoral Committee, Chief Oliver Akubueze, during the meeting which was attended by Igbo critical stakeholders comprising market men and women, youths, traditional rulers led by the their chairman, Ezendigbo of Ibeju-Lekki, Eze (Sir) Chris Offia. 

Chief Solomon Aguene stated during the meeting that the Lagos State Ohanaeze Committee led by Akubueze engaged the Ohanaeze Worldwide Committee led by Fidelis Ozichukwu and they were told that it was the right of the leadership of Ohanaeze Lagos State to set up Electoral Committee to conduct the elections in the Local Government areas in the state, on which they agreed and left. 

He explained that the coast was clear for the conduct of the elections in the 57 Local Councils in the State. 

He stated that he has directed the electoral committee to conduct proper screening and ensure that those to be elected in various positions came to serve and not to achieve their personal goals. He reiterated that the era of bringing jobless people to Ohanaeze from the Local Government to the State level was gone while stressing that any person, who wants to contest for any position much have visible means of livelihood. Chief Aguene directed that the selling of the forms will commence on Friday. 

The Electoral Committee Chairman, Chief Akubueze, stated that the committee was ready to conduct the election to all the Local Government areas in the state as he had engaged the Ohanaeze Worldwide Electoral Committee sent to Lagos to conduct election and they agreed with the superior argument that it was the right of Lagos State Ohanaeze to conduct election in various local Governments. 

He explained that the election will be conducted with Ohanaeze Lagos State by-laws, which was approved by Ohanaeze Worldwide. He also stated that the committee will start selling the forms and encouraged members to go to the Ohanaeze Secretariat to pay their monies in order to obtain forms, which will be followed by a screening exercise before the election proper. 

It was kudos for Aguene and Akubueze by the members present for their efforts to liberate Ohanaeze Lagos State by standing on their right and insisting that it was the Lagos State Ohanaeze that has the right to conduct election. 

The former President of Ohanaeze, Chief Ekwilo, thanked the leadership for their efforts over the victory and cautioned members who are working against unity of Lagos State Ohanaeze to have a change of heart. He urged members to continue to support Chief Aguene for his good works by raising the Ohanaeze Lagos State to higher standards. 

He stated that during the administration of Chief Aguene, Ohanaeze was recognized by the Lagos State Government and many Igbo stakeholders with the less privileged and widows benefitting from it.

Eze Offia commended the efforts being made for peace to reign among the Igbo in Lagos State and thanked the leadership for what they are doing for the Igbo to have peaceful election in the state.