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Years of division within the Lagos State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo have ended with a landmark peace accord between factional leaders Chiefs Solomon Ogbonna Aguene and Sunday Ossai. The agreement, brokered by Chief Leonard Okafor, aims to unify the sociocultural group and strengthen the Igbo community’s voice in Lagos, addressing concerns about internal disunity and prioritising credible leadership for future elections. Both leaders apologized for past conflicts and pledged to work together toward a more cohesive and impactful Ohanaeze Ndigbo. ROLAND OGBONNAYA writes
For decades, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation of the Igbo people, has served as a vital voice for the community, advocating for their interests and fostering unity. However, the Lagos State chapter, a particularly crucial branch given Lagos’s significant Igbo population, was mired in a debilitating internal crisis for years—a situation increasingly seen as a significant setback for Igbo aspirations in the state and beyond.
The roots of the turmoil stretch back to the 2017 elections, initially sparked by disagreements over leadership succession. What began as a contest for the presidency of the Lagos chapter quickly devolved into a fractured landscape of accusations, counter-accusations, parallel executives, and legal battles.
Two main factions emerged: one led by Chief Sunday Ossai, who claimed legitimacy based on a widely contested election, and another spearheaded by Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, who alleged irregularities in the process and enjoyed the backing of some prominent Igbo figures.
“Lagos is a critical economic hub, and a strong, unified Ohanaeze Ndigbo is essential for representing the Igbo community’s needs—from business concerns to security issues and political representation. This infighting effectively silenced that voice,” a prominent Igbo leader stated.
The consequences of this protracted conflict were far-reaching. Firstly, it severely hampered Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s ability to effectively engage with the Lagos State government. A divided front lacks the authority and credibility needed to negotiate on behalf of the Igbo community. Issues like land rights, business regulations, and representation in government appointments suffered from a lack of cohesive advocacy.
“We’ve lost opportunities,” laments Chief Obi, a businessman and long-time member of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. “When we approach the government, they see us as fragmented and unreliable. They ask, ‘Who speaks for the Igbo people in Lagos?’ It’s a question we could not answer definitively.” Secondly, the crisis fuelled distrust and division within the Igbo community itself. The constant bickering and public mudslinging created a climate of suspicion, making it difficult to mobilise support for common goals. This internal strife was exploited by political opponents, further weakening the community’s position.
The legal battles that ensued exacerbated the problem. Multiple court cases challenging the legitimacy of each executive dragged on for years, consuming resources and diverting attention from more pressing issues. While rulings were issued, they were often met with appeals and further legal maneuvering, perpetuating the stalemate.
Furthermore, the crisis coincided with a period of heightened ethnic tensions in Lagos. The lack of a strong, unified Ohanaeze Ndigbo to address concerns and mediate dialogue left the Igbo community feeling vulnerable and exposed.
“The perception of disunity makes us an easier target,” says Mrs. Adaeze Nnaji, a community leader in a Lagos market. “When there are issues, we need a strong organisation to speak for us, to reassure us, and to protect our interests.” Attempts at reconciliation have been numerous but largely unsuccessful.
Intervention efforts by prominent Igbo elders and religious leaders yielded temporary truces, but the underlying issues remained unresolved. The core problem lay in a lack of willingness to compromise and a deeply entrenched sense of personal ambition.
“The Igbo community in Lagos deserves better,” explained Dr. Ozo Okoro. “We need a strong, unified Ohanaeze Ndigbo that can advocate for our interests and contribute to the development of Lagos State. The persistent crisis is a setback, but it’s not insurmountable. It requires leadership, courage, and a willingness to put the community’s needs above personal ambitions.”
Recently, the Igbo sociocultural group showed that leadership and courage when it resolved the long-standing crisis between its two factional leaders, Chiefs Solomon Ogbonna Aguene and Sunday Ossai, which threatened to escalate into tension and disruption. Speaking at the event, held at Calabar Community Hall, Ajao Street, Lagos, Chief Ogbonna Aguene acknowledged the peace meeting, stating, “Since our tenure is ending, it would be wise for any future Ohanaeze executives to operate without rancour.” He explained that the Igbo community’s recent marginalisation in Lagos affairs wasn’t due to a lack of ability to advocate for their rights but rather their inability to speak with a unified voice.
“We agreed that the perception of disunity among Ndigbo should not be associated with our leadership in Lagos State,” he added. Aguene also noted a challenge within the Igbo community: a tendency to prioritise material wealth over leadership qualities.
“They look at the kind of car a leader drives and his net worth, often disregarding how the money was earned. There are poor people among us who live better lives than the rich,” he observed.
He emphasised that reconciliation was the best outcome for the sociocultural group in Lagos State, adding that those sowing discord were a small minority. “Not everyone is cut out for leadership. Some are endowed with leadership and organisational talents,” he said.
He commended Eze Nickolas Njoku of Ejigbo and Chief Leonard Okafor (alias Oba Ojoto) for their contributions to ending the tension. He also revealed that previous attempts at a peace accord had been undermined by mischief-makers who forged signatures in the minutes, prompting the parties to adopt a more secure process. “These mischief-makers benefit from the crises in Ohanaeze and don’t want peace to prevail. But this time, we won’t allow them to succeed in dividing us. We are one people, united by a common destiny,” he stated.
The next step, he said, is to form committees overseen by the two factional leaders to manage the election of new leaders, ensuring transparency and accountability.
On his part, Sunday Ossai apologised to the traditional rulers and members present, acknowledging that his actions had caused pain and brought disrepute to the group. “I ask Ndigbo in Lagos State to forgive me for the pain my factional leadership has caused. Many of our actions were born of ignorance and a lack of moral authority,” he pleaded.
He pledged to uphold the agreement, aiming to create a united Ohanae Ndigbo Lagos State that represents the interests of Ndigbo in the state and eliminate internal conflict. He stressed the importance of selecting credible men and women to ensure competent and respectable elections for various offices within Lagos Ohanaeze Ndigbo, upholding the peace and unity of the group.
The peace accord was brokered by Chief Leonard Okafor, also known as Oba Ojoto. “For the past eight years, Ohanaeze in Lagos State has been fractured, plagued by problems. During the Christmas period, I intervened between Solomon Ogbonna Aguene and Sunday Ossai, urging them to prioritize peace. Finally, they agreed,” he explained.
“I insisted that this agreement needed to be documented and witnessed by all Igbo in Lagos State, demonstrating their commitment to peace. This will provide a roadmap for establishing committees incorporating members from both factions.” “This event signifies to Ndigbo in Lagos State that the two principal actors are ready to embrace peace. Anyone opposing it… well, I don’t know what to do with them. But thankfully, it seems everyone has embraced the accord.
The future of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State looks bright. We can now speak with one voice. We will establish committees for harmonization, elections, and conflict resolution, led by Ogbonna Aguene and Ossai, who will then define the job descriptions for each committee. Leaders and members are eager to begin work as soon as possible.”
“We need competent people in Ohanaeze leadership in Lagos State. We must learn from past mistakes. I’ve been concerned that if each faction held separate elections and handed over to someone unfamiliar with the group, they might clash again, potentially violently.” “It’s regrettable that many perceive Ohanaeze as a money-making venture, failing to understand that we must put our house in order before we can achieve anything.”
“Unfortunately, many who don’t understand Ohanaeze’s history have infiltrated it. However, Ndigbo still recognize their true sons and daughters,” Okafor stated. He expressed gratitude to all involved, noting this was his second attempt at reconciling the factions. “Only God can instill the will and a reconcilable heart in people.”
He thanked Aguene and Ossai for their willingness to restore peace and unity to Lagos Ohanaeze, adding, “Their willingness to know when enough is enough demonstrates their humanity and kindness.” Igwe Fred Nwajagu, one of the traditional rulers and Eze Ndigbo in Ajao Estate, Oshodi Isolo Local Government Area, Lagos State, affirmed that the peace meeting signalled a full return to peace within the group.
He revealed that upon receiving the invitation, he confirmed its authenticity with others, filling him with joy. “I recall numerous attempts I made to foster peace and unity, but they were unsuccessful. It’s important to remember that when two people are fighting, it’s the responsibility of a third party to intervene.”
