CHUKA UBAH
Ndigbo Media Forum Worldwide, led by National Coordinator, Rev. Paul Eze, has issued a strong statement criticizing Chief Sunday Udeh over his recent remarks on the ongoing authentication of Ndieze in the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that the NMF described Chief Sunday Udeh — who it said is facing a criminal trial at the High Court in Lagos — as a “dubious character” that, in its view, has caused serious damage to the unity among Ndigbo in the state.
According to the Forum, Chief Udeh allegedly crowned “hundreds of Ezendigbo” across various LCDAs in Lagos. The group alleges that this proliferation of titles created crisis and disrupted peace and unity among Ndigbo in Lagos.
The Forum further claimed that Udeh is “afraid of the automation of Ndieze” because he does not want Ndigbo to know the number of Ndieze he crowned during his tenure as President of the Igbo Speaking Community, which he has allegedly not accounted for.
NMF alleged that it was the dubious manner in which Udeh was giving Igbo titles that landed him in trouble. He was said to have been arrested and remanded in Ikoyi Prison for several months and is still facing trial before the court.
Ndigbo Media Forum took exception to Udeh’s description of its members as “fraudsters”. The Forum noted that its membership includes scholars, eminent journalists, professors, and critical Igbo stakeholders led by Hon. Paul Eze.
The group said the authentication project seeks to document the Council of Ndieze in the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, which it views as a necessary administrative step for a registered organization.
“Because of his level of education, Udeh doesn’t know that ISC, as a registered organization, must have records and a Directory,” the Forum stated, arguing that proper documentation is standard practice for incorporated trustees.
The statement accused Chief Udeh of bringing crisis into the Igbo Speaking Community and dividing the Council of Ndieze. The Forum raised concerns about the process used to crown some Ndieze and said it is reviewing compliance with ISC constitutional requirements.`
The Forum further claimed that up till today, Udeh has “deliberately refused to dissolve the monster (Ndieze) he created for his selfish interest,” and that this has complicated efforts to identify authentic title holders.
Ndigbo Media Forum said its Directory project will work directly with the Board of Trustees led by Dr. Jonathan Nnaji and the Council of Ndieze led by Eze Ephraim Nnaemeka, bypassing the office of the ISC President.
The group concluded that documenting genuine Ndieze has become urgent due to Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s recent ban on Ezendigbo titles, and that the final list will be submitted to the Lagos State Government, Southeast governors, embassies, and other Igbo bodies to clarify who holds legitimate titles under the ISC constitution.
Chief Cyriacus Izuekwe, National Publicity Secretary of the Forum, added that the Directorate already has names of Ndieze confirmed to have been crowned by the Igbo Speaking Community. He said those names will go through the BOT and Council for verification before being published.
The Forum maintained that its process will follow conditions already set for crowning Ndieze in the community: recommendation letters from the candidate’s hometown traditional ruler and President-General, plus final recognition by the BOT as custodian of the ISC.
Responding Udeh’s opposition, the group insisted that independence is critical to the credibility of the Directory. It argued that involving the office that oversaw mass conferments would defeat the purpose of separating “fake from genuine” Ndieze in Lagos.
Rev. Paul Eze said the Forum will not be distracted by “name-calling” and that the exercise will continue. He called on the public, Ndieze, and government agencies to await the official list, which he said will restore order and protect the integrity of Igbo traditional leadership in Lagos.
Ndigbo Media Forum revealed that, according to security reports received by the Lagos State Government, the indiscriminate crowning of Ezes in the state caused crises in both the Igbo Speaking Community and the Council of Ndieze. The Forum stated that this is why Chief Sunday Udeh is being prosecuted. It added that, very soon, he could become an ex-convict over his alleged actions.
The group warned Chief Sunday Udeh to retract his statement against the respected Ndigbo Media Forum Worldwide or face legal consequences.