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The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has suspended the election of its principal officers in Lagos pending the resolution of ongoing legal disputes surrounding the leadership of the state chapter.
The directive was conveyed in a statement issued by the Coordinator of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Southwest Zone, Chief Everest Ozonweke, who said all election-related activities not conducted in conjunction with the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Headquarters must cease until all pending litigations are concluded.
According to the statement released on Thursday, all stakeholders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo across the Southwest, including state chapters, local government branches and community executives, have been directed to strictly comply with the decision to ensure a lawful and orderly leadership transition.
Chief Ozonweke explained that the directive followed a communication from the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief John Azuta-Mbata, concerning the leadership situation within the Lagos chapter.
He announced that, with immediate effect, no elections, inaugurations or leadership transition processes would be conducted in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos or any Southwest chapter without the express written approval and active participation of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Headquarters.
He stressed that the directive issued by the National Secretariat remains binding until further notice.
The organisation also reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, directing all members to respect ongoing court proceedings and existing judicial orders involving the national body. Consequently, the General Assembly’s earlier resolution mandating the National Headquarters to conduct elections in Lagos has been suspended pending further directives from the courts and the national leadership.
Ohanaeze further warned that any elections, meetings or appointments conducted in defiance of subsisting court orders or without the approval and participation of the national headquarters would not be recognised by the Southwest Zonal Office.
The organisation disclosed that the office of the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos remains vacant until the issues are resolved.
It also reiterated that the zoning arrangement guiding elective positions within Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide remains in force and must be strictly observed by all chapters across the Southwest.
While calling on all parties to embrace dialogue and pursue an amicable resolution of the dispute, Chief Ozonweke said the Southwest Zonal Office remains available to facilitate mediation and support an out-of-court settlement in line with the directives of the President-General.
He also appealed to Igbo leaders, elders, women and youths across Lagos and the Southwest to remain calm, law-abiding and united throughout the process.
“Our strength as Ndigbo lies in our unity under one leadership,” he said.
