KINGSLEY EBERE
The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, has advised Ndigbo, who are making unguarded comments, to desist from that as such would jeopardize the peaceful co-existence among ethnic groups in the State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Chief Aguene gave the advice on the heels of propaganda and blackmailing of notable Igbo leaders by some Igbo people, which has caused Ndigbo the opportunity to have constructive engagement with the Lagos State Government and the host community.
Aguene noted that Ndigbo over the years had built a strong structure through him after he was elected as Ohanaeze President in 2018, which was used to reach out to the Lagos State Government.
However, he noted that the same Ndigbo destroyed the structure due to gossips and blackmailing of their leaders and lost greater opportunity to engage the State Government for meaningful progress of Ndigbo in the State.
Aguene described what is happening to Ndigbo in Lagos State as unfortunate because they are not united and do not speak with one voice to engage the Government owing to blackmail and propaganda against the Igbo leaders.
He stated that despite the propaganda and blackmailing, he still has good relationship with Governor Sanwo-Olu because he knew the truth and nobody among the Igbo has promoted the Governor, Mr. Sanwo-Olu and APC more than himself and Chief Joe Igbokwe respectively over the years.
On the issue of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, he stated that he remains the President and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu knows that because he is aware of the valid Court judgment, which has not been vacated.
Aguene explained that the Governor is aware of the Court judgment and he knows that Ohanaeze constitution cannot supersede the valid Court judgment just like the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, was declared Governor by the Supreme Court.
He stated that any person or group projecting another person as President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State is wasting time because there is respect for the rule of law and the Lagos State Government is aware that he has a substantive Court Judgment in his favour.
Aguene recalled how he reconciled Ndigbo with the Lagos State Government and the host community when he took Ebitu Ukiwe and late Gorge Obiozor to the Oba of Lagos over purported comments against Ndigbo and since then there has been a good relationship with the Yoruba and other ethnic communities in Lagos State.
He also stated that he united Igbo groups including Ndigbo in Lagos under Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State as the Apex organization and raised Governor Sanwo-Olu’s hand in 2019 during the election, which some groups did not like, and were still not happy over that, which made them to resort to blackmail and calling him different names.
Chief Aguene explained that such groups like Ndigbo in Lagos, which is a club formed by Igbo elites, were not happy and they had been trying everything possible to work against him as the leader of Ndigbo in Lagos State.
However, he stated that the blackmailing had not stopped him from working for the interests of Ndigbo in Lagos State and that was why majority of Ndigbo in the State have been following him.
He advised that it was better for Ndigbo to come together and speak with one voice for the greater interest and prosperity of Ndigbo in Lagos State.