Ndigbo in Oriade LCDA, Lagos State, under the umbrella of Ohanaeze have confirmed Eze Apollos Chukwukadibe Umenwekwe as the recognized Ezendigbo in the LCDA and warned members of the public to beware of false claims by Emmanuel Chimereze Chukwuakalikamadu parading himself as Ezendigbo in the LCDA.
P.M.EXPRESS reports as was contained in the letter sent to all the Igbo leaders in Lagos State and members of the public, warning and disowing Chukwuakalikamadu a.k.a known as Akalika.
It was gathered that the residents of Oriade LCDA publicly denounced and rejected Chukwuakalikamadu, who they alleged decided to crown himself as Ezendigbo in the LCDA.
Among the Igbo leaders who endorsed Umenwekwe included Ezendigbo, Lagos State, Eze Christian Uchechukwu Nwachukwu, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, Igbo Speaking Community led by Chief Sunday Udeh, Igbo Kingmakers led Chief John Uche and Oriade LCDA, who confirmed and gave him recognition having satisfied the requirements as Ezendigbo.
In the letter of authentication of Eze Chukwukadibe Umenwekwe by Eze Nwachukwu dated 24th October, 2022, it stated: “This is to certify and authenticate in my capacity as Ezendigbo, Lagos State that His Highness, Eze Chukwukadibe Umenwekwe, is the Ezendigbo /Eze Udo of Oriade LCDA in Amuwo Odofi Local Government of Lagos State”.
Eze Nwachukwu went further to authenticate some of the documents attesting that Eze Umenwekwe is the only recognized Ezendigbo in Oriade LCDA which included, letter of recognition by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State led by Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene duly signed by Chief Aguene and Ohanaeze General Secretary, Chief Everest Ozonweke.
Igbo Kingmakers, led by Chief John Uche, also wrote a letter of recognition confirming Eze Umenwekwe as Ezendigbo in Oriade LCDA in a letter they sent to the DSS and Nigerian Police dated 24th November, 2021, while the Igbo Speaking Community Lagos State led by Chief Sunday Udeh gave Eze Umenwekwe certificate of recognition dated 13th July, 2019 and signed by Chief Udeh and his Secretary, Engr Chukwuma Odumegwu respectively.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Oriade LCDA, also gave a letter of recognition to Eze Umenwekwe in a letter dated 20th October, 2021 and signed by the then Chairman, Prince Alexander Ezeobi and Secretary, Chief Victor Nnotum, which was recognized by Oriade LCDA and Council of Ndieze in Lagos State.
This was confirmed by Eze Umenwekwe, who also described Akalikamadu as impostor parading himself as Ezendigbo but not recognized as Ezendigbo in both in Oriade LCDA and Lagos State.
He explained that the alleged impostor cannot claim to be Ezendigbo because he has no means of livelihood and depends on begging money from people.
He wondered how Chukwuakalikamadu would claim to be Ezendigbo and yet he was not in good terms with his people in Oraukwu town in Anambra State in the Southeast.