The leadership of Igbo speaking community Lagos refutes claims of crowning criminal elements, strictly adhere to constitution
By Onome Naomi
In a press statement released by the leadership of Igbo speaking community on 14th Dec. 2023, the socio cultural organisation had debunked claims that a newly crowned Ezendigbo of Festac, Ogbuagu prosper had bribed the organization with N2m to buy leadership role in Festac jurisdiction. More also, the group says his arrest is subject to matters not related to his leadership role as Ezendigbo Festac, he should not be termed a criminal until declared by the court of law.
The communique read out by the secretary of Igbo Speaking Community Lagos, Engr Chuks Odimegu and interpreted by the PG High Chief Sunday Udeh giving an insight as to the organogram in the running of the organization with legal backings to its claims shows that, the concocted insinuations by a faction who will stop at nothing to bastardize the essence of a unified front due to greedy intentions will always want to stand as a strong force but should be aware that the constitution must be adhered to.
Clearing the air on certain issues arising in the leadership of the organization, Sunday Udeh said, the council of Ndi Ezes was established in 2005 and has carried out duties creditably. In 2023 Eze Dr Chika Nwokedi emerged as the head of council, the issue of setting another council purportedly headed by one Eze Chris Offia whom was appointed by the leadership of Chief Solomon Ogbonna and who’s tenure elapse 2022 does not hold waters.
High Chief Sunday Udeh, the President General of Igbo Speaking Community Lagos said the Ohaneze is not subject to crowing Ezes, what they have is “Eze Udo” which has no meaning in the Igbo context. On the other hand, the Igbo speaking community in Lagos crowns Ezes as Ezendigbo of a particular jurisdiction with due recommendations from the kings in far east, Ezendigbo is constitutional and was formed by the Igbo speaking community. He who disputes the authenticity of a crowned Eze by the organisation should go to court.
On the matter of crowning Ezendigbo in every community, Sunday Udeh said in 1998, various areas in Lagos state was having crises between the Yorubas and Igbos. The Obas were the only present leaders and therefore make decisions concerning the 2 tribes which led to more crises. In this sense, the Ezendigbo was formed so that the igbo speaking community can have a leader as well that will represent in decision-making. The Oba and Eze can then come together, make decisions to broker peace between the two tribes in Lagos state. With proof, the creation of a leader in the various communities has worked and brought peace between igbos and yorubas in Lagos, the tenure of an Eze is 8yrs, can be more that due to arising circumstances. Secondly, the Ezendigbo was created to promote the Igbo culture in other states.
To buttress on the points on which Igbo faction has the rights to crowning Ezendigbo in Lagos, Eze Barr. Dr. Chukwumobim Apachi Enyioha- The Eze Ndigbo Ozurumba Gburugburu I of IWEREKU, Bogije, Ibeju Lekki LGA who has practiced law for 29yrs says the ultimatum given by Eze Udos in contrast to a constitutional title is ridiculous. Reveals Ohaneze was formed in 1952, it’s constitution was written in 1953, nowhere in the article says Ohaneze can make Eze, the community makes an Eze as seen in the case of Eze Prosper Ogbuagu Ezendigbo Festac who got recommendation from the kings in his hometown as requested by Igbo speaking community and was verified before proceeding to being crowned.
See press statement below for more clarity on the stands of Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos.
IGBO SPEAKING COMMUNITY IN LAGOS AND COUNCIL OF NDIEZE IGBO LAGOS STATE FROWN AT NDI ΕΖΕ UDO’S INTRUSION IN HER AFFAIRS
With sequel reference to a press conference held on Monday 11th December 2023 by Ndi Eze Udo title holders headed by one Eze Chris Offia as its Chairman, with the theme; setting the straight on crowing of Ezeship and administrative related issues in the community.
The Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos and the Council of Ndi Eze Igbo wish to jointly make the following statements of fact.
1. That the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos by the act of its constitution which was duly approved by the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) on the 15th of October 1998 with RC No. 11534 has the legality to regulate, nominate, screen, approve and crown any qualified Igbo man as Eze Ndizbo in Lagos State, Local Government and Communities within its jurisdiction.
2. With the above constitutional empowerment, the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos has been carrying out this responsibility of crowning an Eze in Lagos State since 1999 till date, without any intrusion by any association, organization or individual in or outside Lagos states.
3. Ohanaeze Ndigbo, traditional rulers from the south, east, all the Igbo association both within and outside Lagos including the host communities has been very supportive of this noble responsibility.
4. The criteria/constitutional requirement for Ezeship in Lagos includes among other.
a) Presentation of candidates by the immediate community (LGA) to Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos (State Chapter).
b) Screening of candidates by a designated committee.
c) Letter of consent by the candidates town’s union.
d) Letter of approval by the candidate’s traditional ruler of his community in the South East.
The above can be referred from the constitution of Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, page 12, Article 7, section 2-7.
5. Based on the number of Ndieze Igbo crowned over the years spreading across local governments areas in Lagos State, the Igbo Speaking Community, constituted a council of Ndieze Igbo in Lagos which becomes an organ of the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos.
6. The Council of Ndieze Igbo Lagos State was formed in the year 2005.Ever since, it has been carrying out its functions creditably. Currently the council is headed by Eze Chika C. Nwokedi, Eze Okpoko, Eze Ndigbo Ijegun/Ijedodo.
7. The issue of setting of another council purportedly headed by one Eze Chris Offia whom was appointed by the leadership of Chief Solomon Ogbonna and who’s tenure elapse since last year (2022) does not hold waters.
8. The Eze Udo’s Title Holders is an institution created/owned by Eze H.N Ohazulike which are his representatives in various Local Government and as such are his cabinet members. In Igbo culture and tradition, a does not crown another King but Chiefs, therefore all the Eze Udo title holders headed by Eze Chris Offia are causing confusion and chaos all over Lagos, they are advised to revert to status quo and make peace with their principal.
9. There is nowhere in the National Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that empowers them to regulate, certify, screen or crown an individual as Eze Ndigbo or whatever nomenclature in any part of this world. Ezeship is solely the responsibility of the community where Igbos resides and accordingly to their constitutional provisions/requirements.
10. Ohanaeze Ndigbo (Imeobi Enugu) as an apex Igbo Social Cultural organization has no business whatsoever in descending so low to dabble into affairs/activities of Ndigbo in diasporas especially as it Ezeship in Lagos
11. The Major aim and objective of having Ezeship in diasporas is that they are custodians of Igbo culture and traditions. This can be seen in the constitution of Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos page 15, Article 7; Section 6. They also help to promote the culture of speaking Igbo Language among our Children.
12. institution in diasporas vis-à-vis Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos promotes cordiality between Ndigbo and the host community.
13. Ohaneze Ndi Igbo, Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Afenifere are all social cultural organization on same platform and representing the interest of the south-easterners, northerners and the westerners. It has never been heard in any quarters that Afenifere or ACF has dabbled into traditional issues of Yorubas or Hausas in diaspora or imposition of Leaders in diaspora.
14. the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos and Council Ndi Eze Igbo Lagos State vehemently reject the content of the said press conference in totality and in entirety held last Monday (11th December, 2023).
15. The Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos and the Council of Ndi Eze Igbo is hereby warning the Eze Udo title holders or any other organization including individuals to henceforth desist from meddling into the affairs of the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos or the Council of Ndi Eze Igbo Lagos. If in any event it happens, we will be left with no option than to seek redress in a court of law to defend her constitutional right. Enough is enough. Ndi Igbo in Lagos are contented and happy with the Lagos State government and the host communities, they do not need an outside influence or saboteurs that goes around trying to create troubles between Ndi Igbo and the Host Community.
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Signed by:
Chief Dr. Sunday Udeh General
Engr. Chuks Odimegwu Secretary General
Eze Dr. C.C Nwokedi Chairman, Council of Ndi Eze Igbo Lagos State
Eze Amb. Dr Ferdinand Aguneke Secretary, Council of Ndi Eze Igbo Lagos State
