P.M.EXPRESS reports that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Political Forum has been since inaugurated, presented and endorsed by the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Lagos State, as represented by the respected leader of the Party, Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku, a.k.a Baba Eto, on Monday.
Other members of the Committee included Chief Anselm Udoka, (Orobo) as Deputy Chairman, Chief Solomon Chukwu (Solochuks), Chief Babatata Uche, Chisco, Women Leader is Lolo Chinyere Fanorot and others.
The formation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Political Forum means all the Igbo political groups in the State has been collapsed into the new group including the Igbo in APC, Igbo Vision, Igbo Coalition and others.
This was disclosed by Chief Aguene, who stated that the group was constituted to give Ndigbo direction and harmonize all the Igbo political groups to be under one umbrella to be led by Chief Ekwilo.
He explained that the members of the Committee were carefully selected and Chief Ekwilo was nominated as the Chairman because of his vast experience as a seasoned politician, administrator and had exhibited leadership skills over the years in coordinating Ndigbo in the State.
He noted that the era of forming political groups was over in the State and enjoined all the Igbo political groups in the State to collapse their structures into the new group led by Chief Ekwilo under the supervision of Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Chief Solomon Aguene.
In his acceptance speech, Ekwilo stated that he has taken the task to unite all the Igbo political groups and would lead the Igbo in the State with every sense of honesty and transparency as expected because of the confidence reposed on him.
“This is a new dawn in the political atmosphere in Lagos State and every Igbo Political group will be carried along under my leadership to restore the lost glory and it will be not business as usual” Ekwilo said.
The new Chairman, Ekwilo, also explained that with the formation of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Political Forum, it means all other political groups like Igbo Coalition, which he is the founder, Igbo Vision as led by Chief Babatata Uche and others will be collapsed under the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Political Forum across the 57 Local Councils in the State.
Cardinal Odunmbaku (Baba Eto) commended the Igbo for constituting the group and assured them that the Party and the Lagos State Government will work with the group and protect the interests of the Igbo in Lagos State.
There has been reactions over the development as Igbo stakeholders commended Chief Solomon Aguene for taking such a step to unify the Igbo in the State and the emergence of Ekwilo as Chairman, stating that was the first time the Igbo were getting it right.
Chief Ekwilo has been into politics in Lagos State for over 30 years and that was why he was given the name as Igbo Political gas and Anya Ndigbo (eyes of Igbo in Lagos State).
Chief Ekwilo hails from Ezinifite in Aguata Local Government area of Anambra State and has lived in Lagos State for over 40 years. He was a founding member of AD, AC and APC and had been a seasoned politician, who the Igbo look up to in the politics of Lagos State.