Efforts to end hostilities between the Solomon Ogbonna Aguene and Sunday Ossai factions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State branch, reached a head last Saturday during a high-powered meeting held at Great Villa Hotel, Surulere, Lagos.
Initiated by chieftains of the Igbo socio-cultural group, led by Chief Leo Okafor, popularly known as Oba Ojoto, the meeting was graced by major stakeholders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos.
Okafor explained the genesis of the crisis, noting that he was among those who supported the elections of past leaders and the current leadership, headed by Ossai, after the tenure of Aguene came to an end. “One born in a place doesn’t run away from his birthplace,” he said.
He pointed out that, since the election that produced Ossai, he has not been participating in the activities of the group, even though several chieftains of the group had reached out to him on the purported consent judgement being paraded by Aguene as not vacated before the election, which gave him the grounds to claim to be the authentic president of the group.
He commended Ossai for being steadfast and level-headed in the course of the hostilities, adding that it did not make sense for leaders to engage in insolent behaviour towards one another.
He also espoused the need for parties to come together, work without rancour and acrimony for the development of the group and homestead.
He noted that the crisis was costing Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos, so much in terms of reputation and cooperation, as the host state was confused on the right person to relate with on behalf of Ndigbo in the state.
He urged the factions to put their differences behind them, stressing that the situation was causing the group denial of several benefits from the state government.
“We must put our house in order,” he stated, adding, “Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State, must be united again in the interest of peace, tranquility and cooperation.”
In his remark, Ossai canvased the need for Igbo leaders to engage advisers who would always tell them the truth.
He said, “A leader with good advisers will always go far but those who allow sycophants around them would find it difficult. I am blessed with good advisers around me.
“I have followed Solomon Aguene’s trajectories with peace. If I had followed him the way he has been carrying on, Ohanaeze Ndigbo group would have been banned in Lagos State, as confrontation between his faction and mine would have led to bloodshed. But it seems he is not budging, hence, we have decided to approach the court for an interpretation of the consent judgement he has been relying on to perpetuate himself in office,” Ossai said.
He declared that Aguene’s presence in the group was no longer desirable, until he repents and apologies, as his untoward behaviour has caused the name and reputation of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State, to be dragged in the mud. Meanwhile, Aguene didn’t attend the meeting but he sent some of his representatives.
