By Clement Odum
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos General Assembly Seeks Peace, Unity, Backs Constitutional Election Process
The General Assembly of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos has called for peace, unity and reconciliation among its members, while reaffirming its commitment to a constitutionally compliant process for the conduct of elections into the state leadership of the organisation.
The assembly made the resolutions at its general meeting held in Lagos on August 15, 2026, where members deliberated on developments within the Igbo socio-cultural organisation in Lagos, the proposed election process, the tenure of existing officers and recent publications concerning the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Among the dignitaries and leaders who attended the meeting were the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Robert Obasi; Secretary to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Everest Ozonweke; Onye Ndu of Traditional Rulers, Agu Anioma; Hon. Patrick Nwanze; Chief Daniel Onwah; High Chief Linus Igbudu and other leaders and stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, the Acting President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos said the meeting was convened principally to promote unity and provide an avenue for members to discuss the way forward.
> “We want our people to come together and speak in one voice. All we are asking for is peace and unity for the people here in Lagos,” he said.
He stressed the need to restore Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos to what he described as an organisation founded on integrity, trust, love and peace, while emphasising the importance of respecting the host community.
According to him, the constitution of the organisation provides clear procedures for resolving disputes and conducting its affairs, adding that members should comply with both the organisation’s constitution and the laws of the land.
He also referred to an existing court order, stressing that court orders must be respected until they are set aside or vacated by a competent court.
The Acting President said the leadership’s objective was not to exclude anyone but to bring all members together and create genuine reconciliation.
“We want to respect everybody’s opinion. We want to make genuine peace, not peace of the mouth,” he added.
Ozonweke: Ohanaeze Is Apolitical
Also speaking, Chief Everest Ozonweke, who was identified at the meeting as the Personal Assistant to the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, explained that the organisation has an established structure and guiding principles.
He described Ohanaeze as an apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation and expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the Lagos meeting, noting the participation of women, youths, elders and other sections of the community.
Ozonweke said the turnout demonstrated what he described as genuine grassroots support, noting that some members voluntarily contributed financially towards the organisation of the meeting.
He further cautioned against activities outside the recognised structure of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, saying such activities should not be presented as representing the mainstream organisation.
On politics, Ozonweke reiterated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is apolitical, explaining that its members belong to different political parties.
“Some are in PDP, others are in SDP, APC, NDC and Labour Party. If you come to Ohanaeze and begin asking members to support a particular political party, then you have got it wrong,” he said.
He maintained that individual members were free to participate in partisan politics but that the socio-cultural organisation should not be converted into a platform for endorsing political parties or individuals.
Leaders Call for Respect for Host Community
Chief Ade-Rimba 1 of Okwuabua in Ihaoma Local Government Area also spoke at the gathering, arguing that there should be no substantive President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos until a properly conducted election produces one.
He cited previous instances of leadership elections in other states, urging stakeholders in Lagos to follow an established process capable of producing a broadly accepted leadership without creating further divisions.
Chief Paschal Okolie, in his remarks, appealed to Ndigbo in Lagos to respect traditional institutions and the host community.
He urged members to recognise the opportunities provided by Lagos, where many Igbo residents live, conduct businesses and send their children to school.
Okolie further called for greater collaboration between Ndigbo and the host community, particularly during political seasons, warning against actions that could create unnecessary tension between residents and their host community.
General Assembly Condemns Alleged Derogatory Publications
At the conclusion of its deliberations, the General Assembly adopted a number of resolutions concerning the recent controversy within the organisation.
The assembly condemned what it described as derogatory publications against the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and dissociated Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos from the publications attributed to Mr. Mike Orji, Mr. Paul Eze and Mr. Thompson Ohia.
The three individuals were announced as suspended from activities and engagements of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, including its local chapters, pending further directives.
The assembly also called on the affected individuals to tender what it described as an unreserved public apology to the President-General, Senator John Mbata, and members of the Global Executive Council.
On the forthcoming leadership election, the General Assembly expressed support for the Chief John Azuta Mbata-led Global Executive Council in conducting what it described as a constitutionally compliant election for Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos.
It further stated that the duly recognised state officers and sitting local government chairmen should continue to perform their functions pending the final determination of the matter before a competent court.
The assembly declared that any election into the Lagos State leadership should be conducted under the authority and approval of the Enugu leadership, in accordance with the established procedures of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Assembly Rejects April 6 Election Claim
The General Assembly also called on Chief Leonard Okafor, popularly referred to in the statement as Oba Ojoto, to publicly renounce the purported April 6, 2026 election, which the assembly described as unacceptable, and to join the mainstream Ohanaeze Ndigbo structure in the interest of peace and unity.
The assembly further warned that communications purportedly issued on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos that are not signed by its Secretary-General, Chief Robert Obasi, should be regarded as communications from a faction rather than from the recognised state organisation.
It said it had formally placed the Lagos State Government on notice that, according to its position, no valid election into the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State had been conducted, urging the government and members of the public to disregard any contrary representation pending the resolution of the matter.
The General Assembly expressed appreciation to Ndigbo in Lagos for what it described as their commitment to truth, justice and fairness, and appealed to members of the Global Executive Council to maintain high standards of integrity and responsibility.
Members were also urged to exercise caution in their engagements with Chief Leonard Okafor as efforts towards reconciliation continue.
The assembly extended special appreciation to Barrister Chinonye Obiagwu, SAN, for what it described as his commitment and invaluable support.
The meeting ended with renewed calls for dialogue, unity, respect for constitutional processes and peaceful resolution of the leadership dispute within Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos General Assembly Seeks Peace, Unity, Backs Constitutional Election Process
The General Assembly of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos has called for peace, unity and reconciliation among its members, while reaffirming its commitment to a constitutionally compliant process for the conduct of elections into the state leadership of the organisation.
The assembly made the resolutions at its general meeting held in Lagos on August 15, 2026, where members deliberated on developments within the Igbo socio-cultural organisation in Lagos, the proposed election process, the tenure of existing officers and recent publications concerning the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Among the dignitaries and leaders who attended the meeting were the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Robert Obasi; Secretary to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Everest Ozonweke; Onye Ndu of Traditional Rulers, Agu Anioma; Hon. Patrick Nwanze; Chief Daniel Onwah; High Chief Linus Igbudu , Professor Rose Ihuoma Anorlu and other leaders and stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, the Acting President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos said the meeting was convened principally to promote unity and provide an avenue for members to discuss the way forward.
“We want our people to come together and speak in one voice. All we are asking for is peace and unity for the people here in Lagos,” he said.
He stressed the need to restore Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos to what he described as an organisation founded on integrity, trust, love and peace, while emphasising the importance of respecting the host community.
According to him, the constitution of the organisation provides clear procedures for resolving disputes and conducting its affairs, adding that members should comply with both the organisation’s constitution and the laws of the land.
He also referred to an existing court order, stressing that court orders must be respected until they are set aside or vacated by a competent court.
The Acting President said the leadership’s objective was not to exclude anyone but to bring all members together and create genuine reconciliation.
“We want to respect everybody’s opinion. We want to make genuine peace, not the peace of the mouth,” he added.
Ozonweke: Ohanaeze Is Apolitical
Also speaking, Chief Everest Ozonweke, who was identified at the meeting as the Personal Assistant to the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, explained that the organisation has an established structure and guiding principles.
He described Ohanaeze as an apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation and expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the Lagos meeting, noting the participation of women, youths, elders and other sections of the community.
Ozonweke said the turnout demonstrated what he described as genuine grassroots support, noting that some members voluntarily contributed financially towards the organisation of the meeting.
He further cautioned against activities outside the recognised structure of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, saying such activities should not be presented as representing the mainstream organisation.
In politics, Ozonweke reiterated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is apolitical, explaining that its members belong to different political parties.
“Some are in PDP, others are in SDP, APC, NDC and Labour Party. If you come to Ohanaeze and begin asking members to support a particular political party, then you have got it wrong,” he said.
He maintained that individual members were free to participate in partisan politics but that the socio-cultural organisation should not be converted into a platform for endorsing political parties or individuals.
Leaders Call for Respect for Host Community
Chief Adi-Rimba 1 of Okwuabua in Ihaoma Local Government Area also spoke at the gathering, arguing that there should be no substantive President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos until a properly conducted election produces one.
He cited previous instances of leadership elections in other states, urging stakeholders in Lagos to follow an established process capable of producing a broadly accepted leadership without creating further divisions.
Chief Paschal Okolie, in his remarks, appealed to Ndigbo in Lagos to respect traditional institutions and the host community.
He urged members to recognise the opportunities provided by Lagos, where many Igbo residents live, conduct businesses and send their children to school.
Okolie further called for greater collaboration between Ndigbo and the host community, particularly during political seasons, warning against actions that could create unnecessary tension between residents and their host community.
General Assembly Condemns Alleged Derogatory Publications
At the conclusion of its deliberations, the General Assembly adopted a number of resolutions concerning the recent controversy within the organisation.
The assembly condemned what it described as derogatory publications against the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and dissociated Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos from the publications attributed to Mr. Mike Orji, Mr. Paul Eze and Mr. Thompson Ohia.
The three individuals were announced as suspended from activities and engagements of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, including its local chapters, pending further directives.
The assembly also called on the affected individuals to tender what it described as an unreserved public apology to the President-General, Senator John Mbata, and members of the Global Executive Council.
On the forthcoming leadership election, the General Assembly expressed support for the Chief John Azuta Mbata-led Global Executive Council in conducting what it described as a constitutionally compliant election for Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos.
It further stated that the duly recognised state officers and sitting local government chairmen should continue to perform their functions pending the final determination of the matter before a competent court.
The assembly declared that any election into the Lagos State leadership should be conducted under the authority and approval of the Enugu leadership, in accordance with the established procedures of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Assembly Rejects April 6 Election Claim
The General Assembly also called on Chief Leonard Okafor, popularly referred to in the statement as Oba Ojoto, to publicly renounce the purported April 6, 2026 election, which the assembly described as unacceptable, and to join the mainstream Ohanaeze Ndigbo structure in the interest of peace and unity.
The assembly further warned that communications purportedly issued on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos that are not signed by its Secretary-General, Chief Robert Obasi, should be regarded as communications from a faction rather than from the recognised state organisation.
It said it had formally placed the Lagos State Government on notice that, according to its position, no valid election into the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State had been conducted, urging the government and members of the public to disregard any contrary representation pending the resolution of the matter.
The General Assembly expressed appreciation to Ndigbo in Lagos for what it described as their commitment to truth, justice and fairness, and appealed to members of the Global Executive Council to maintain high standards of integrity and responsibility.
Members were also urged to exercise caution in their engagements with Chief Leonard Okafor as efforts towards reconciliation continue.
The assembly extended special appreciation to Barrister Chinonye Obiagwu, SAN, for what it described as his commitment and invaluable support.
The meeting ended with renewed calls for dialogue, unity, respect for constitutional processes and peaceful resolution of the leadership dispute within Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos. Lagos General Assembly Seeks Peace, Unity, Backs Constitutional Election Process
The General Assembly of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos has called for peace, unity and reconciliation among its members, while reaffirming its commitment to a constitutionally compliant process for the conduct of elections into the state leadership of the organisation.
The assembly made the resolutions at its general meeting held in Lagos on August 15, 2026, where members deliberated on developments within the Igbo socio-cultural organisation in Lagos, the proposed election process, the tenure of existing officers and recent publications concerning the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Among the dignitaries and leaders who attended the meeting were the Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, Chief Robert Obasi; Secretary to Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Everest Ozonweke; Onye Ndu of Traditional Rulers, Agu Anioma; Hon. Patrick Nwanze; Chief Daniel Onwah; High Chief Linus Igbudu and other leaders and stakeholders.
Addressing the gathering, the Acting President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos said the meeting was convened principally to promote unity and provide an avenue for members to discuss the way forward.
“We want our people to come together and speak in one voice. All we are asking for is peace and unity for the people here in Lagos,” he said.
He stressed the need to restore Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos to what he described as an organisation founded on integrity, trust, love and peace, while emphasising the importance of respecting the host community.
According to him, the constitution of the organisation provides clear procedures for resolving disputes and conducting its affairs, adding that members should comply with both the organisation’s constitution and the laws of the land.
He also referred to an existing court order, stressing that court orders must be respected until they are set aside or vacated by a competent court.
The Acting President said the leadership’s objective was not to exclude anyone but to bring all members together and create genuine reconciliation.
“We want to respect everybody’s opinion. We want to make genuine peace, not peace of the mouth,” he added.
Ozonweke: Ohanaeze Is Apolitical
Also speaking, Chief Everest Ozonweke, who was identified at the meeting as the Personal Assistant to the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, explained that the organisation has an established structure and guiding principles.
He described Ohanaeze as an apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation and expressed satisfaction with the turnout at the Lagos meeting, noting the participation of women, youths, elders and other sections of the community.
Ozonweke said the turnout demonstrated what he described as genuine grassroots support, noting that some members voluntarily contributed financially towards the organisation of the meeting.
He further cautioned against activities outside the recognised structure of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, saying such activities should not be presented as representing the mainstream organisation.
On politics, Ozonweke reiterated that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is apolitical, explaining that its members belong to different political parties.
“Some are in PDP, others are in SDP, APC, NDC and Labour Party. If you come to Ohanaeze and begin asking members to support a particular political party, then you have got it wrong,” he said.
He maintained that individual members were free to participate in partisan politics but that the socio-cultural organisation should not be converted into a platform for endorsing political parties or individuals.
Leaders Call for Respect for Host Community
Chief Ade-Rimba 1 of Okwuabua in Ihaoma Local Government Area also spoke at the gathering, arguing that there should be no substantive President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos until a properly conducted election produces one.
He cited previous instances of leadership elections in other states, urging stakeholders in Lagos to follow an established process capable of producing a broadly accepted leadership without creating further divisions.
Chief Paschal Okolie, in his remarks, appealed to Ndigbo in Lagos to respect traditional institutions and the host community.
He urged members to recognise the opportunities provided by Lagos, where many Igbo residents live, conduct businesses and send their children to school.
Okolie further called for greater collaboration between Ndigbo and the host community, particularly during political seasons, warning against actions that could create unnecessary tension between residents and their host community.
General Assembly Condemns Alleged Derogatory Publications
At the conclusion of its deliberations, the General Assembly adopted a number of resolutions concerning the recent controversy within the organisation.
The assembly condemned what it described as derogatory publications against the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and dissociated Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos from the publications attributed to Mr. Mike Orji, Mr. Paul Eze and Mr. Thompson Ohia.
The three individuals were announced as suspended from activities and engagements of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, including its local chapters, pending further directives.
The assembly also called on the affected individuals to tender what it described as an unreserved public apology to the President-General, Senator John Mbata, and members of the Global Executive Council.
On the forthcoming leadership election, the General Assembly expressed support for the Chief John Azuta Mbata-led Global Executive Council in conducting what it described as a constitutionally compliant election for Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos.
It further stated that the duly recognised state officers and sitting local government chairmen should continue to perform their functions pending the final determination of the matter before a competent court.
The assembly declared that any election into the Lagos State leadership should be conducted under the authority and approval of the Enugu leadership, in accordance with the established procedures of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
Assembly Rejects April 6 Election Claim
The General Assembly also called on Chief Leonard Okafor, popularly referred to in the statement as Oba Ojoto, to publicly renounce the purported April 6, 2026 election, which the assembly described as unacceptable, and to join the mainstream Ohanaeze Ndigbo structure in the interest of peace and unity.
The assembly further warned that communications purportedly issued on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos that are not signed by its Secretary-General, Chief Robert Obasi, should be regarded as communications from a faction rather than from the recognised state organisation.
It said it had formally placed the Lagos State Government on notice that, according to its position, no valid election into the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State had been conducted, urging the government and members of the public to disregard any contrary representation pending the resolution of the matter.
The General Assembly expressed appreciation to Ndigbo in Lagos for what it described as their commitment to truth, justice and fairness, and appealed to members of the Global Executive Council to maintain high standards of integrity and responsibility.
Members were also urged to exercise caution in their engagements with Chief Leonard Okafor as efforts towards reconciliation continue.
The assembly extended special appreciation to Barrister Chinonye Obiagwu, SAN, for what it described as his commitment and invaluable support.
The meeting ended with renewed calls for dialogue, unity, respect for constitutional processes and peaceful resolution of the leadership dispute within Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos.
