KINGSLEY EBERE
The Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Chief Robert Obasi, has issued a clarification on the office of the South West Coordinator and recent developments within Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos.
In a statement, Obasi said the clarification became necessary following publications questioning the legitimacy of the South West Coordinator position and the leadership of Ohanaeze in Lagos.
He stated that the position of South West Coordinator was created for administrative convenience during the tenure of the late President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo. As part of that restructuring, Ohanaeze established zonal administrative centers including South-South in Rivers, Northern Zone in Abuja, South West in Lagos, Europe in the UK, and USA in New York.
According to Obasi, Chief Iwuanyanwu appointed Chief Everest Ozonweke as Coordinator of Ohanaeze Ndigbo South West through a duly signed letter, with the endorsement of the then Secretary General, Ambassador Okey Emuchey.
He added that the current President General retained most appointments and committees from the previous administration that met required standards.
Obasi further cited the 2004 Constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, as amended in 2026, to support the position.
He quoted Article 14(3b) which states that Vice Presidents General serve as principal zonal coordinators, responsible for extending the vision and policies of Ohanaeze beyond Igbo homeland and supervising operations in their geo-political zones. Other functions include aligning zonal programmes with the constitutional mandate and coordinating engagements with Igbo communities.
The Secretary General expressed concern that some individuals issuing statements on behalf of Ohanaeze Lagos, including Mike Orji and Mrs. Nkechi Agubuzor, do not fully understand the constitutional structure of Ohanaeze. He questioned the authority under which they speak for the organization on GEC decisions.
On developments in Lagos, Obasi recalled that on August 19, 2026, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide held a leadership retreat and expanded GEC meeting in Enugu to provide policy direction. Prior to the meeting, Chief Leonard Okafor, also known as Oba Ojoto, was said to have engaged some GEC members regarding recognition as President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.
Following the retreat, the President General reaffirmed the GEC’s position on the Lagos leadership and issued directives for compliance. In line with his duties, Chief Ozonweke circulated a rejoinder for implementation, which Obasi said triggered reactions from Okafor and his associates.
Obasi alleged that Okafor made another trip to Enugu on the eve of the retreat to lobby for confirmation as Lagos President and to push for the removal of Chief Ozonweke as South West Coordinator. He stated that during the expanded meeting, the issue of Lagos leadership was discussed extensively, but members who upheld constitutional provisions resisted the moves.
The President General was said to have clarified that Chief Ozonweke, serving as Personal Assistant to the President General, derives his duties from that office and is entitled to carry out assignments given to him. The GEC also resolved to set up a high-powered committee to visit Lagos for a lasting resolution to the crisis.
Obasi noted that the Constitution empowers the President General to make strategic appointments, including zonal coordinators, and that any future appointments would be holistic and not limited to one zone.
He also referenced the 2022 decision under the NEC led by Ambassador George Obiozor that the Lagos presidency should rotate among states that had not previously produced the President. He said despite this, Okafor has continued to contest the position.
Obasi urged Ndigbo to uphold the Constitution, respect court orders, and recognize the authority of the President General and the GEC. He said Ohanaeze is guided by one Constitution and one leadership, and attempts to circumvent this will not succeed.
He concluded by affirming that Chief Ozonweke remains committed to the service of Ndigbo and that his performance as South West Coordinator has been outstanding. Obasi also appealed that members whose integrity has been questioned should not be included in any committee set up for Lagos.
