KINGSLEY EBERE
Prince Ubochi Ubochi has formally expressed his interest in contesting for the office of President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, promising a grassroots-driven administration that will reconnect the organization with the people at the local levels.
P.M.EXPRESS reports, Prince Ubochi made this known on the heels of the 9th April, 2026 resolution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to conduct election in Lagos State and the window given by the Lagos State High Court for factions to make peace.
According to him, his government, if elected, will operate from the “bottom to the top,” with strong emphasis on the LGAs and LCDAs across Lagos State as the true foundation of Ohanaeze activities and community mobilization.
Prince Ubochi stated that his vision is to build a more united, disciplined, and people-oriented Ohanaeze that will prioritize the welfare, security, economic empowerment, and political relevance of Ndigbo residents in Lagos State.
He further stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence and strategic collaboration with the Yoruba host communities, noting that Lagos remains home to millions of Ndigbo, whose progress depends largely on mutual respect, partnership, and constructive engagement with the indigenous people of the state.
“Our strength must come from the grassroots. Every LGA and LCDA must have a voice and active participation in Ohanaeze affairs. We must return the organization to the people and build stronger relationships with our Yoruba brothers and sisters for peace, development, and progress,” he said.
Prince Ubochi also emphasized the need for institutional reforms, accountability, youth inclusion, and respect for the constitution and core values of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Political consultations and stakeholder engagements are expected to intensify in the coming weeks ahead of the anticipated Ohanaeze Lagos elections.
The leadership contest for Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State appears headed for a fresh election, as reconciliation efforts between two factions gain momentum following a Lagos State High Court intervention.
In a statement circulating on social media and titled “HOW OBA & CO ENDED UP WITH FORM 48 & 49: A LESSON FOR All”.
Prince Ubochi said the path to an election opened after resolutions reached at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide General Meeting in Enugu on 9th April, 2026, which directed that elections be conducted in Lagos State.
He noted that the window for reconciliation was created by the Lagos State High Court, which he said urged parties to use Alternative Dispute Resolution to resolve disputes that have kept the Lagos chapter in court for years. According to him, consultations among prospective candidates have already started, and political alignments are taking shape.
Prince Ubochi used the statement to explain the significance of Forms 48 and 49 in the Nigerian legal practice. He said Form 48 serves as a notice of the consequences of disobeying a court order, while Form 49 is a notice to show cause why a person should not be committed to prison for contempt. “In simple terms, Form 48 is the warning; Form 49 is the beginning of the punishment process,” he wrote.
He argued that the issuance of the forms against some actors in the Ohanaeze Lagos dispute should serve as a lesson to leaders and aspirants. “No position is worth ridiculing the judiciary. No ambition is worth destroying the integrity of Ohanaeze. And no individual is above the law,” he stated.
Prince Ubochi alleged that Mr. Nwainyinya Ogbonna, also known as Solomon Ogbonna, and a group he described as “rogue Igbo leaders” introduced litigation into Ohanaeze affairs as far back as 2018. He said the matter escalated during the period of a consent judgment that was widely publicized at the time.
According to the statement, while some parties have remained law-abiding and respectful of judicial processes, others allegedly chose to disobey court orders, believing that influence and claims of powerful connections would silence opponents. He said the continued proceedings have exposed contradictions and falsehoods that are now subject to public scrutiny.
He added that the desperation around the leadership contest has led to the legal consequences now facing some individuals, with reports that some have gone into hiding or travelled out of the country out of fear of contempt proceedings. He did not name those individuals and said the matter remains before the court.
Looking ahead, Prince Ubochi said the next leadership in Lagos must prioritize reconciliation, institutional discipline, and the enactment of by-laws that can prevent similar disputes. He said Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as the apex Igbo socio-cultural body, should not remain trapped in courtrooms.
He urged all parties to use the ADR window granted by the court to avoid further legal consequences and to allow the organization to move forward. “Respect the court. Respect the law. Respect the institution,” he wrote.
However, Prince Ubochi was silent on the principle of zoning which was said to be a contentious issue in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.