Chief Solomon Aguene affirm position as president Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos, counter opposition
By Onome Naomi
Chief Solomon Aguene debunk report making rounds on the internet concerning “bowing out” as Ohaneze president Lagos while Chief Sunday Ossai takes over.
He said this in a press conference held at the Ohaneze secretariat in Surulere area of Lagos state on 21st March, 2024 where he told pressmen that a lot of people especially the media has quoted his statements wrongly and he is inclined to correct the misconstrued perception as well as disparities in his rulership position as head of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos.
However, Chief Solomon stated that Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu’s visit is not all about addressing the issues around Ohaneze crisis in Lagos, rather the apex leader of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide affirmed interest to work with him “Solomon” as the most capable to govern Ndigbo in Lagos.
According to Chief Solomon Aguene, Chief Ossai was presented to Iwuanyawu as the elected president of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos but has no capacity to govern the socio-cultural organisation. He mentioned that, a court judgement was passed in May 2023 following some issues arising from disagreements surrounding his position as Ohaneze president in 2018 by some dysfunctional executives of Ohaneze Ndigbo. Furthermore, the defacto executives since 2018, had produced two different leaders to disorient and checkmate his activities while the case of leadership choice had been a tussle in court for 3years and 7months before judgement was passed affirming ‘him’ Chief Solomon Aguene the authentic president of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos.
Chief Solomon revealed that the first 4years of his tenure didn’t really count as he was in and out of court due to injunctions, says since the judgement was passed, his tenure has properly commenced as president of Ohaneze Lagos to complete unfinished tasks. According to court directions, the parties will have to conduct elections in all Ndigbo communities to elect one president, meanwhile the office of the President of Ohaneze remains intact, he added.
Speaking on the requests of the opposing faction who demanded an outrageous amount of 40million naira as compensation otherwise step down, Solomon affirmed that he declined on their request. He also cleared the air about tenures in the Ohaneze constitution, he said it is impractical and should be disregarded. Says Chief Inwayanwu, president of Ohaneze Ndigbo worldwide confirmed no one is above court judgements but will present the matter before the ‘Ime Obi’ while he commends Chief Solomon for his capacity to lead.
Highlighting positions in the Hierarchy
of the Ohaneze constitution, Chief Solomon stated that the presidents both past and present, executives and committees of Ohaneze Ndigbo has positions mapped out and approved by the court.
Addressing the disconcerting mannerisms of Ndi-Ezes in Lagos, Solomon disapprove of some disgraceful behaviour stemmed from disunity amongst them. Says the Ezes are divided into 5-6 groups who fights over very trivial matters.
He said:
“Some Ezes in Lagos needs sensitization on what it means to assume the mantle of kingship, they need to possess quality attitude to command respect for themselves.
President Tinubu once scrapped Ezes out of the Lagos system of tribal rulership when some were seen fighting over bag of rice and cow until value was restored by me as Ohaneze president.”
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In conclusion, Chief Solomon tells the public to disregard some misconstrued statement aimed at causing division amongst the Igbos, reiterates that Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu is a wise man and won’t disobey court judgement affirming him “Chief Solomon Aguene”the authentic president of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos.
Those who attended the press conference organised at the Ohaneze secretariat includes some stakeholders, patrons, executives and members of Ohaneze Ndigbo Lagos.
