Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State has demanded an apology from its former President, Chief Solomon Ogbonna, as condition for his alignment with the organisation.
In a press release titled “The True Story of Ogbonna’s Consent Jugdement” signed by Chief Sunday Ossai, President and Chief Robert Obasi, Secretary General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos said it would not be deterred by fabricated stories but “will continue to function as expected.”
Explaining its relationship with Chief Ogbonna, Ohanaeze said the former president of the Lagos State chapter, at the last moment of his four years tenure (2018 – 2022), struck a deal with a faction of the organization and wanted this personal agreement to be imposed on it.
Ohanaeze said the agreement with the faction had no relevance as the organisation in Lagos is currently being led by Chief Sunday Ossai, “with the full backing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, under the leadership of President General Sen. Azuta Mbata.”
Clearifying the issue, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos said Ogbonna’s “consent judgment was not influenced by an alternative dispute resolution (AVR) and is not connected to the litigation initiated by Barr. Fabian Onwughalu’s faction, which sought a judicial ruling on whether the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide leadership has the authority to conduct elections in Lagos State.
“Importantly, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State is not among the defendants in that lawsuit and cannot be presumed to be involved, particularly in light of Solomon’s personal agreement.”
It said that the Chief Ogbonna can only align himself with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State “after he tenders an apology,” as the organization “remains committed to acting in the best interests of its people in Lagos, as directed by Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, headquartered in Enugu.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos urged its members to be law-abiding and continue coexisting peacefully with their host communities.