NDINDU, Ndi Ezeudo’s Merger Move Signals New Chapter for Igbo Leadership in Lagos – Eze Omeiheoma Uche

NDINDU, Ndi Ezeudo’s Merger Move Signals New Chapter for Igbo Leadership in Lagos – Eze Omeiheoma Uche

By Naomi Onome

A prominent Igbo leader in Lagos State, Eze Omeiheoma C. Uche (Igwe Ochendu), Ezendigbo Lekki, has called for peace and unity among Igbo leadership groups following the reported decision of Ndi’Ezeudo ( the high chiefs) to align with the umbrella body known as NDINDU.

Speaking on the development, Eze Uche expressed gratitude to God, describing the move as the end of a prolonged struggle over leadership and identity among various Igbo groups in Lagos State.

According to him, the dispute originated from a supremacy battle involving groups laying claim to the authentic representation of Igbo traditional leadership in the state.

He recalled that during the tenure of former Ezeigbo of Lagos State, Eze NKpuma, cabinet chiefs were appointed across local government areas and were crowned under the title of Ndi Eze’udo. However, he alleged that many of those chiefs later distanced themselves from their roots and began identifying as Ndi Eze’Igbo, a development that sparked controversy and division within the Igbo community.

Eze Uche noted that the struggle over authenticity and leadership recognition had negatively affected the progress of Ndigbo in Lagos State.

“Ndi Eze’Igbo belongs to the entire Igbo-speaking community and not to Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The emergence and growing influence of Ndi Eze’Igbo created concerns among Ndi Eze’udo, who subsequently sought inclusion and influence within the broader leadership structure of Ndigbo in Lagos State,” he stated.

He lamented that years of leadership disputes and supremacy battles had damaged the image of the Igbo community before their host community and hindered collective progress.

According to him, the decision by Ndi Ezeudo to come under the NDINDU platform presents an opportunity for reconciliation and lasting peace.

Explaining the structure of NDINDU, Eze Uche said the body serves as a broad leadership platform for various groups within the community. He explained that women’s leaders are referred to as “Onyendu Nwanyi,” youth leaders as “Onyendu Ndi Youth,” while chairmen and other community leaders also bear leadership titles within the NDINDU framework.

While welcoming the development, he appealed to all parties to embrace peace and coexistence.

“I appeal to our brothers in leadership to allow peace to reign. As the Ndi’Ezeudo have now pitched their tent under NDINDU, please allow them to operate peacefully. The constant conflicts have become exhausting and have held our people back. For the sake of our youths, our future, and our relevance in Lagos State, we must put an end to these supremacy battles,” he said.

Eze Uche further urged members of the various groups to respect one another’s identities and leadership structures.

“Anybody can answer any name he chooses, but there must be peace in the leadership of Ndigbo in Lagos State,” he added.

Addressing another aspect of the dispute, Eze Uche maintained that while the creators of Ndi’Ezeudo have the authority to restructure or even abolish the body, they do not possess similar authority over Ndi Eze’Igbo.

According to him, Ndi Eze’Igbo belongs to the wider Igbo-speaking community and therefore cannot be dissolved by any individual group or organisation.

“Ndi’Ezeudo was created by its founders and they can decide its future. But Ndi Eze’Igbo belongs to the Igbo-speaking community. No group has the right to abolish what it does not own,” he stated.

He concluded by reiterating his appeal for reconciliation, unity, and peaceful coexistence among all Igbo leadership groups in Lagos State.

“On my knees, I am begging all concerned parties. Let there be peace in the leadership of Ndigbo in Lagos. God bless you all,” he said.