– Reaffirms proscription of Eze Ndigbo title in diaspora

By Simeon Mpamugoh

Hon Robert Obasi is a political leader, entrepreneur and Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Lagos State Chapter. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply, (FCIPS) along with the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (FNIS). In this interview, he speaks on the supposed election of Chief Leonard Okafor, alias Oba Ojoto, the proscription of Eze Ndigbo title in Diaspora and other concerns pertinent to Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

How did you enter into Ohanaeze politics?

Ohanaeze is not a political association. It is a sociocultural company although in every company, there is a level of politics. As it is with every Igbo male, there is a point in one’s life that a person believes that it is time to render service to one’s individuals and when such chances come, one provides himself. Before that time, I dealt with the previous president of Ohanaeze Lagos State, High Chief Solomon Aguene Ogbonna, who is the creator of Aguene Art Foundation. In the course of dealing with him, I saw all the chances for me to be a member of the executive, to object to the election and likewise contribute my quota in making Ndigbo that live in Lagos State to have a voice anywhere they live. When the time was available in 2022, I objected to for the Secretary General of the group in Lagos State. It was zoned out for Ebonyi State and I am from Ebonyi State. I objected to and won the election.

There were series of conferences on reuniting the Solomon Ogbonna and Sunday Ossai factions with the indivisible Lagos State Ohanaeze fold. These efforts caused the election that generated Chief Leonard Okafor alias Oba Ojoto. Throughout the duration, you were significantly not included. Why?

There were no series of conferences. Individuals simply collected for a jamboree. There was no chance there might be any conference in between the 2 portions without the existence of the secretary. My lack in the stated conferences nullified and voided them. It revealed that there was an issue. There were no series of conferences. It must be kept in mind that before achieving the position as the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State Chapter, I took an oath similar to other executives to secure Ohanaeze Constitution and to support the Igbo culture. I can not be included in anything that will impact Ndigbo adversely. On the supposed election, I can inform you that there was no election. The election that generated Oba Ojoto was currently voided ahead of time in the High Court of Lagos State being in Sabo Yaba under Hon. Justice Mosunmola Balogun. Oba Ojoto through his counsel on oath informed the court that there was no election. In another breath, the exact same male under oath stated there was an election on the 29th March 2026, which according to him was performed before the judgement of the court, whereas the supposed election was performed on 6th April, 2026.

What actually occurred?

We litigated. And there was a surviving order to preserve the status quo there ought to be no election. Ogbonna’s legal agent remained in the court. The court declaration was made on 30th March, 2026. Immediately, there should not have actually been any election. What they did was to rapidly go carry out an “election” on Easter Monday. That election did not fulfill the requirement of Ohanaeze elections. For any Ohanaeze chapter to carry out an election, the National Elections Committee (NEC) from the head office of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, Park Lane Enugu need to send out agents to keep an eye on the election. For the election that brought me to head the secretariat of the group, the then Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Worldwide Amb. Okey Emuchay existed. The previous president of the group worldwide, Chief Gary Igariwey, was likewise present consisting of other NEC members that pertained to represent the nationwide body. If you ask Oba Ojoto to discuss NEC members that came to monitor his election, he most likely will not point out anybody due to the fact that none of them was present. His election is null and space. The court nullified and voided it, and Ohanaeze NEC likewise did the very same thing. The President General (PG) of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata is likewise worried about the workplace of the president of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Lagos State chapter, which he states still stays uninhabited. Even in the Ohanaeze constitution, it is mentioned that any state that carries out election, the nationwide body will send out agents, which was refrained from doing when it comes to Oba Ojoto. And a court of qualified jurisdiction has actually provided an order that the status quo must be kept. The proof remains in the general public domain and we are not troubled with what Oba Ojoto and his accomplice are doing.

What are your strategies now, leading another faction of the group?

There is no faction in Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Lagos State Chapter. Solomon Ogbonna has actually left workplace. If there is a faction, ask the individual who is their moms and dad body and president. I take guidelines from the President General, identified Senator John Azuta– Mbata. Ask Oba Ojoto where he takes his own directions. All of them because group, where are they taking their own guidelines? They’re not acknowledged by Ohanaeze Ndi gbo Worldwide. Oba Ojoto never ever participated in any of the conferences assembled by the President General. Solomon Ogbonna in his last days, when he paraded permission judgment for the 2nd regard to 4 years, never ever participated in any Igbo conference worldwide. All his efforts to participate in conferences in Enugu, Oba Ojoto was never ever enabled to go into the Ohanaeze facilities. Anybody can ask him. He understands the fact however continues to trick individuals around him that he is Lagos Ohanaeze president. We had a retreat in Enugu just recently. He went there, lobbied some individuals however on the day of the occasion, he came and was reversed from eviction. The PG stated as far as Lagos was worried there was no president of Ohanaeze. He even more stated he was concerning carry out an election in Lagos State. I do not understand why Oba Ojoto has actually stayed determined.

How well has Ohanaeze Ndigbo had the ability to attain its goals?

We have actually fared extremely well. Before I came on board, Ohanaeze had actually been releasing its obligations. In Igboland, everyone declares to be a king. Be that as it may, we are still talking to our individuals. Ohanaeze has an organogram that if you are not a member of the group, you will not comprehend. Individuals wish to see an Ohanaeze that comes out to make political declarations. Ohanaeze is not set up for that. We have members of Ohanaeze in APC, APGA and PDP. Former Minister of Labour and Productivity, Senator Chris Ngige is an APC member and a member of Imeobi (Inner caucus) of Ohanaeze. Senator Pius Anyim Pius before this time belonged to PDP and likewise an Imeobi of Ohanaeze. We likewise have Chief Chekwas Okorie, who belongs to APGA and Imeobi of Ohanaeze. In Ohanaeze we have celebration chieftains with various political associations. What individuals anticipate is for the group to be partisan however it can’t be partisan. We are a sociocultural company. What we do is this: there are methods we distribute info and Ndigbo will comprehend themselves. If Ohanaeze’s position is on a specific political celebration, there is a method the message will be interacted in Imeobi and everyone goes that method. If you desire us to come on the tv and radio stations to state that everyone is going to vote celebration A or B, it’s not done. And all those who go that method are not promoting Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo. They are the breakaways who wish to generate income from the political leaders and federal government. Ohanaeze is apolitical.

What are your ideas on the proscription of usage of the Eze Ndi Igbo title in the Diaspora and organization of Onyendu Ndigbo in replacement?

Onyendu Ndi Igbo is the brand-new method to attend to any Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader in Diaspora. It’s an outstanding name and concept since the Eze Ndi Igbo title has actually triggered a number of issues in Nigeria and Diaspora. We had the exact same issue with Eze Ndi Igbo in South Africa, Eze Ndi Igbo Ghana and Eze Ndi Igbo India. One can not be a king in another guy’s land where one does not have area. Ohanaeze Ndi gbo need to have a territorial base. No Yoruba guy can go to Enugu and state he is Oba of Enugu. It can’t occur. It’s for this factor we state that the title Eze (King) must be gotten rid of. If one is an Eze in Diaspora, what will the individual remain in his town? There is a king currently in his town, and in Igbo land no king lives outside his domain. When you are a king in Lagos for circumstances, if you go back to your town, it indicates there would be 2 kings. All these things are inconsistent and manufactured. Senator Azuta-Mbata in his knowledge has actually seen that it has actually developed a great deal of issues for Ndigbo, and in combination with the South East Traditional Rulers Council proscribed the title Eze Ndi Igbo in Diaspora. He concerned Lagos where the problem was raised, and spoken with the leaders at the Continental Hotel where the brand-new title: Onyendu Ndi Igbo was embraced. That we do not go about doing specific things that Eze (King) in our neighborhoods are entitled to do. A couple of weeks ago I joined my neighborhood in the South East and commemorated this year’s brand-new yam celebration. The Eze and Nze are the standard custodians of custom-made and culture and they cut the yam to mark the event. Now in my neighborhood anybody can consume brand-new yam, take it to the marketplace to offer or purchase, individuals will begin seeing yam in the market since the rite has actually been finished and gods harvest has actually been calmed. In the diaspora no Eze or Onyendu Ndigbo has the right to commemorate the brand-new yam celebration due to the fact that we do not cultivate yam in diaspora, and there is no harvest season. One can not simply go to the marketplace, purchase yam and state he is commemorating the brand-new yam (Iwaji) celebration. It does not make good sense. These are a few of the important things we wish to do to minimize the impacts on our customs. What the PG did is the finest thing that can occur to Ndigbo and bring back peace with Ohanaeze leaders and their host neighborhoods.

There is a claims that the factionalisation in Ohanaeze Lagos State is being sustained by some individuals who are taking advantage of the crisis and do not desire peace and unity of the group. What are your ideas about it?

Who does not desire unity and the coming together of Ndi Igbo? That is the concern to ask. Is it Leonard Okafor and his group that understood that what they were doing protested the constitution of Ohanaeze? That the constitution states 4 years rotational presidency and other workplaces? After working as the Secretary General, I’ll not be the SG once again. It’ll be zoned out to another state. Ohanaeze president has actually been zoned to Abia State and Sir Oliver Akabueze (Mmiri Ndigbo) was the president. After him, it went to Anambra State. After Anambra, it went to Ebonyi State and Solomon Ogbonna was the president. It must not go back to Anambra once again. Imo has actually refrained from doing, Delta has actually refrained from doing and Rivers State too. Why is it returning to Anambra once again? Are they the ones that do not desire the coming together of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo or those people that firmly insist that the constitution which everybody testified support, is supreme? These are the concerns those who do not desire the coming together of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo ought to address. One can not be doing the incorrect thing and anticipate some individuals to participate in doing the incorrect thing.

What is your impression about the standoff in between Ohanaeze and Lagos State Government in current times?

Lagos State Government has actually passed a circular, which a copy has actually been offered to us– that there ought to be absolutely nothing like Eze Ndi Igbo title in all its 20 Local Governments Areas (LGA) and the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDA). The State House of Assembly has actually likewise notified us through a correspondence, which we have actually acknowledged through the President General, and dispatched to Alausa to the Governor, that we remain in contract with them. We have actually gone past the phase other than those who are acting on lack of knowledge that will state that they are still Eze Ndigbo this or that LGA or LCDA. We are now in the 2nd stage which is the execution. When the state starts executing it, possibly everyone will change. The smart ones amongst them had actually currently aligned themselves with the nationwide Ohanaeze. Part of the interaction for those in Lagos State checks out: “In accordance with the law enacted by the Lagos State House of Assembly, using the titles Igwe, Eze, and comparable conventional titles by any private within Lagos State is restricted and prohibited.

“This position remains in rigorous compliance with the regulation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, which has actually unquestionably directed that making use of titles such as Eze Ndi Igbo, Igwe, and associated diaspora standard appellations should stop internationally.” The Eze Ndi Igbo title in Diaspora has actually ended up being a thing of the past. In our conferences we no longer deal with any Diasporan standard leader as Eze however Onyendu (leader).

What is the method forward in creating an enduring peace amongst the rank and file of the group in Lagos State?

Easy! Those who are the representatives of darkness, who understand the fact however decline to follow it ought to stop. If one is a chorister and sings off crucial, one ought to understand that he/she is the individual ruining the tune and if he/she is removed, the tune will be concurrent. Those who understand that they are doing the incorrect thing ought to stop it. Strolling occasionally paying off individuals presumed to be leaders and affecting their incorrect aspiration will not let us gain ground. The distinction in between our generation and the males of the 70s is that before this time, we do not do what they do. A guy from the catbird seat in Ikeja can call somebody: “hello! What is the issue?” Before he understands it, he buys some squander to him and his function will be hindered totally. I understand the number of them who had actually approached me with cash and we stated no, let the best thing be done and we will do the ideal thing. The issue they are having is that we’re not pulling back. We have actually firmly insisted that the election that didn’t satisfy the needs of the constitution of Ohanaeze be nullified however some individuals are asking us to leave it, that before one understands it 4 years will expire. We can not develop on illegality. It was the very same pattern with Solomon Ogbonna and his days with authorization judgment. This is what we are suffering now. It gets to a time this should be stopped even if it is going to take us 10 years to stop it. If we’re not conscious witness it, our fans will understand that it’s what we mean and they’ll join us to make it take place. We should fix the abnormality.

Who is the existing genuine president of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo backed by the PG in Lagos State?

He is High Chief Linus Igbudu. He is the Vice President of Ohanaeze Ndi gbo and the President of Enugu State Towns Union. What takes place is that every town union president instantly is the vice president of Ohanaeze. When Sunday Ossai was drawn out by Solomon Ogbonna and Okafor, the next individual that must have taken control of was his deputy. The deputy who is from Anambra State, in his knowledge stated it was zoned out for Enugu State, let the vice from Enugu State manage the administrative task of Ohanaeze pending when the nationwide body will carry out election. That is a male that has knowledge. Since constitutionally, he would have taken control of the mantle of management however since he desired peace, he provided up the location and led the way for an Enugu male to take control of. Which Enugu male is the individual presently on the helm of affairs in Ohanaeze Lagos State. There are no concerns with our management. We have conferences with the deputy president, Acting President Linus Igbudu and his deputy consisting of Anambra Town Union’s president all sitting with us. The guy behind the shenanigans is from Anambra State. He is the president of Anambra Town Unions Association in Lagos State. He is versus the action of Oba Ojoto. He has actually informed him that the period is not for Anambra State which the state has actually taken their own turn and must permit other states to take theirs. This is likewise our position with democracy in Nigeria: that the presidency must be turned among the 6 geopolitical zones, which is what we wish to take place in Ohanaeze. Some individuals are kicking versus it. For us in Ohanaeze, nobody can kick versus it since it remains in our constitution. If it’s not in the constitution, Senator Mbata who is from Rivers State would not have actually been Ohanaeze President General. It’s rotational which’s why Rivers State’s turn produced him. After him it’ll be required to another state. Nnia Nwodo was from Enugu. After him we had Imo State which produced Prof. George Obiozor and when he died we had Engr. Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu who took control of. When he passed away Nze Fidelis Ozichukwu Chukwu finished the staying days of his period. And since the constitution specifies that the President General should be the one to establish an electoral committee, 3 weeks to the election Iwuanyanwu passed away. After his burial, the group selected Ozichukwu from Imo State, who ended up being the PG for 3 weeks hence finishing Iwuanyanwu period. He likewise made up the electoral committee that saw to the election of Senator Azuta-Mbata from Rivers State. It was Rivers’ turn. After him, it’ll return to Abia State. The individuals triggering the issues in Lagos State understand themselves. And they should be asked: the Lagos Ohanaeze presidency they are defending, is it zoned to Anambra State? Why would an Anambra guy, after turning over to Ebonyi guy return once again to command the exact same body? It’s refrained from doing anywhere.