KINGSLEY EBERE
Former President General of the Igbo Speaking Community, Lagos State, Chief Sunday Udeh, has admitted selling certificates to persons parading as Obi of Lagos and Ezendigbo Gburugburu for money.
The explosive admission is contained in a voice note now circulating on social media platforms of Igbo groups in Lagos.
In the viral audio obtained by PMEXPRESS, Chief Udeh admitted issuing certificates of recognition to the two title holders and that proceeds from the exercise were shared among some members of his executive.
The voice note was recorded during a meeting with the Council of Elders led by Eze John Nwosu, where Udeh was summoned to explain his role in the controversial crowning.
What Happened At Council Of Elders Meeting
A reliable source who was at the meeting told PMEXPRESS that Chief Udeh was invited by Eze John Nwosu-led Council of Elders following petitions over the proliferation of titles in Lagos.
When confronted with allegations of certificate issuance, Chief Udeh reportedly admitted that he issued certificates to Obi of Lagos and Ezendigbo Gburugburu.
He further admitted that money was collected from the title holders and shared among some members.
” In his own voice, he admitted that he gave them certificates and that money was involved which was shared. The elders were shocked because our community has no power to crown Obi or Eze, ” the source said.
PMEXPRESS gathered that the Council of Elders is yet to write its report and submit to the Board of Trustees (BOT) for further action.
The Council, led by Eze John Nwosu, is said to be compiling minutes of the meeting, including the voice note admission, before forwarding to the BOT.
” The Council of Elders has not submitted its report to the BOT. They are still writing the report which will contain Udeh’s admission and the voice note, ” another chieftain disclosed.
General Assembly Removes Udeh
Meanwhile, the General Assembly of the Igbo Speaking Community had earlier removed Chief Udeh as President General at a meeting held on 5th September, 2026, at the National Secretariat in Surulere, Lagos.
The General Assembly, which is the highest decision-making organ of the group, comprises LGA Coordinators, women and youth wings, and other stakeholders from across 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs of Lagos State.
PMEXPRESS gathered that the Board of Trustees was not present at the General Assembly meeting where Udeh was removed.
The meeting, which was presided over by stakeholders of the community, passed a vote of no confidence on Chief Udeh following allegations of gross misconduct, commercialization of titles and disregard for the constitution.
At the same meeting, Chief Chukwudi Chinye was elected as the new President General to pilot the affairs of the community.
Why Certificate Sale Is Controversial
The issue of crowning Obi of Lagos and Ezendigbo Gburugburu has generated heated controversy among Igbo groups in Lagos.
Stakeholders have argued that the Igbo Speaking Community is a socio-cultural umbrella body and not a traditional institution empowered to crown or issue certificates to any Obi or Eze Gburugburu.
They argued that powers to confer Ezendigbo reside with Igbo Speaking community and that commercializing it for money is capable of causing disaffection and bringing Igbo nation in Lagos to ridicule.
A chieftain who spoke with PMEXPRESS on condition of anonymity said, ” You cannot sell Obi of Lagos certificate. Obi is a traditional institution. Ezendigbo Gburugburu is not a title for sale. What Udeh did was to bastardize Igbo tradition for money. “
BOT Awaits Elders Report
With the Council of Elders yet to submit its report to the BOT, and the BOT not present at the General Assembly meeting that removed Udeh, the next line of action is expected to be determined after the BOT receives and reviews the Elders’ report.
Insiders said the BOT, as the custodian of the constitution, will review the report of the Council of Elders, including the voice note admission, and take a final decision on the leadership crisis.
As of the time of filing this report, Chief Sunday Udeh has not publicly denied the voice note, while Chief Chukwudi Chinye has assumed office as President General at the National Secretariat in Surulere.
The voice note has continued to circulate on WhatsApp and Facebook platforms, generating reactions among Igbo stakeholders in Lagos.