KINGSLEY EBERE
A major leadership tussle is rocking Ndigbo in Ejigbo, Lagos, as Chief Odinaka Iwu and Hon. Nelly Okafor battle for control of Ndigbo in the Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) for 2027 election.
The crisis, which has divided the opinion of Ndigbo in Ejigbo, is now threatening the planned endorsement of President Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates slated for November 1, 2026.
http://P.M.EXPRESS gathered that the tussle is being played out within Ndigbo in APC, Ejigbo Chapter, where two factions are laying claim to the coordination of Ndigbo activities.
Two Factions Announce Rival Nov 1 Endorsement In Ejigbo.
One group is led by Dr. Vivian Sunshine Obi, Coordinator and Convener of the Ndigbo in APC Steering Committee, Ejigbo Chapter, alongside Hon. Nelly Okafor as Leader.
The group has announced a press conference and endorsement of PBAT-KOH and all APC candidates for November 1, 2026, at the APC Secretariat, Ejigbo. The invitation lists Hon. Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo, Ejigbo LCDA Council Chairman, and Hon. Omoniyi Ismail Oluwaseun, APC LGA Chairman, Ejigbo LCDA, as special guests.
In a separate invitation, another group led by Chief Odinaka Iwu is also organizing its own event for Ndigbo in APC Ejigbo LCDA in conjunction with the Igbo Community in Ejigbo.
Chief Iwu, who is identified as Director of Ethnic Groups in Ejigbo for Hon. Obe, is championing the presentation of Hon. Monsuru Oloyede Bello (OBE) as candidate for House of Representatives (MHR) for Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency.
His own event is fixed for Sunday, November 1, 2026, by 12 noon at Nneokwa Hall, NNPC Bus Stop, Ejigbo.
The double booking on the same date at two different venues has created confusion among members of the Igbo community in Ejigbo and raised questions about who truly controls Ndigbo in Ejigbo.
Nov 1 Endorsement To Test Who Controls Ejigbo Ndigbo
Sources within the Ejigbo Ndigbo Council said the November 1st endorsement will be a test of strength.
“The November 1st endorsement will show who the people are really following. It is a show of strength for both sides. Whoever pulls the bigger crowd controls Ejigbo Ndigbo,” a source familiar with the council told http://P.M.EXPRESS.
Both Chief Iwu and Chief Okafor are members of the Council of Obindigbo in Ejigbo, a body established to unify Ndigbo in Ejigbo and speak with one voice. But the current battle for control is threatening that unity.
Eze Alex Nwoye May Intervene
Following the escalating tension, elders in Ejigbo are looking up to Eze Alex Nwoye, to intervene and prevent the crisis from degenerating.
Eze Alex Nwoye, who is highly respected and has influence across the council as Bobaselu and Onyendu, is said to be concerned about the split and may call both parties to a peace meeting before November 1.
A chieftain of APC in Ejigbo, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the party leadership is already aware and working to harmonize the groups.
“What we are seeing is a matter of coordination and recognition. The party leadership in Ejigbo LCDA is aware of both groups and is making efforts to harmonize them. Ndigbo in APC is an important support group and we cannot afford division, especially as we approach endorsement season,” the chieftain said.
Sources within the Ejigbo APC Secretariat said efforts are ongoing to bring Dr. Vivian Obi, Hon. Okafor, and Chief Iwu to a roundtable.
“The LGA Chairman, Hon. Omoniyi Ismail Oluwaseun, and the Council Chairman, Hon. Taoheed Adebayo Taiwo, are working together to ensure that there is one strong and united Ndigbo in APC in Ejigbo. The goal is to support PBAT and all APC candidates, including Hon. Obe for Oshodi/Isolo. The interest is the same, only the approach is different,” a source said.
Members of the Igbo community in Ejigbo have appealed for peace and unity.
“We are all APC. We all want progress to continue. Whether it is Dr. Vivian Obi, Hon. Nelly Okafor, or Chief Odinaka Iwu, we are all working for the same party. We should not fight. We should come together and endorse our candidates in one voice,” Mrs. Chika Okoro, a trader at Ejigbo Market, said.
As of the time of filing this report, both groups have insisted their programmes will hold as scheduled on November 1. Party leaders say a final decision on the venue and unified leadership structure is expected before the end of the week.
