By Ikpeama Emmanuel and Onyebuchi Onwuchekwa
A historic peace meeting has brought an end to a three-year leadership crisis within Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, as Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene (Udochia) and Chief Sunday Ossai (Stainless) bury their differences as both leaders has warned against any attempt by individuals or group distablizing the existing peace move to desist from such act, says there is no more faction among the leaders.
The meeting, held on February 7, 2026, at Calabar Hall, Surulere, was brokered by Chief Leonard Okafor (Oba Ojoto) and Eze Ambassador Nicholas Emenike Njoku.
Both leaders had claimed legitimacy, but agreed to work together, paving the way for a new president to be elected.
The meeting marked a turning point for Ndigbo in Lagos, with committees set up for peace, harmonization, and elections. The community looks forward to lasting peace, progress, and purposeful leadership.
Speaking at the event,Chief Solomon Ogbonnaya, President Ohaneze Ndigbo Lagos State,said the essence of their meeting is to reconcile the faction of Ohanaeze with the central Ohanaeze in Lagos to come together and also to enable them conduct an election so as to handle over to the new leadership and allow peace and harmony to reign as there is no more faction in Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Lagos State.
Ogbonna noted that Senator John Mbata have come to Lagos and settled all the grievances among them as he charged other faction leaders to come under his leadership for betterment of the group.
“He has realized that those he thinks that are supporting him of illegal structure are those who are making mockery of him.”
“I am his friend and brother, and has decided to make peace with my own executive and has called on the people that are working with me to accept him, he also accept us that we are going to work together; no more problem again in Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo in Lagos state”. He stated.
The President expressed his joy and happiness for seeing a massive turnout of people, stressing that peace is the only thing that can make things move forward anywhere in the world, nation, state, and. family,maintaining that only devil and his staff will tell you that they are not interested in peace.
“Many people think he was the problem but today the truth has come out and today,we have seen the evil men and they are not more than five persons”.
” Its not his own saying, it was those who are using him to collect money from people that Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo has problem they want to use it to solve it in court and police stations
” And he said no to them that they can not be using his name to extort money from people that Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo has problem.That he is very sorry to be parading himself as a president of Ohanaeze, when he knows that I am the person with consent judgement and today he has sent his apology”he stated.
Lending his voice, Chief Sunday Ossai,leader of the other faction,acknowledged the court’s affirmation of Chief Solomon’s presidency and pledged to work together for the progress of Ndigbo.
Speaking with newsmen,Chief Okafor ( Oba Na Ojoto) the peace reconciliation Chairman, thank God for the successful outcome of the meeting, adding that is very shameful for past eight years Ohanaeze have not been the same in Lagos.
He noted that he took it upon himself during the last Christmas period and invited the two factions for peace move, but today finally they have agreed to embrace olive branch to unite.
Okafor, disclosed that after the meeting the two leadership will setup committee to harmonize the peace process which the two principal actors have agreed, so any other person saying he’s not ready for peace does not want the progress of Ndigbo Lagos State.
“A clear roadmap will be set, committees for peace, harmonization, and elections will be formed immediately, with representatives from both factions. Work on these committees will begin from February 8, 2026, to ensure that unity is sustained and that elections for a new president are conducted fairly.”he said
When asked about his political ambition, Chief Okafor said, “It will be an honor if Igbo people elect me, but we must look for our best. Whoever becomes president must know Ohanaeze well; otherwise, it will crash. Leadership is not for money-making but for putting the house in order.”
Also,Ambassador Nicolas Emenike Njoku, Eze Ndi Igbo of Ejigbo, expressed delight emphasizing that peace and unity are priorities for Ndigbo.
He said, “When you have a headache, it affects everywhere. So, we want to correct the heads first. There is no Igbo man or woman with his right sense who will say this move is wrong.”
Investigator news reports that Eze Ambassador Nicholas Emenike Njoku, Eziokwu bu Ndu 1 of Abazu who is the Chairman Ndi Eze Imo in South West & Diaspora and one who known for his passion for unity and progress, played a key role in brokering peace.
According to him,he canceled his travel plans to be present at the peace meeting, noting that without unity, there can be no progress or respect from other tribes.
“If the sacrifice is for me to deny my Ezeship for us to come together and pay Two Million Naira on top for us to be one, I will do that. All glory goes to God for bringing us to this point of understanding.”
” If we have not gone up to that extent, and peace are achieved we give all glory to God. I have been reaching out to the two faction leaders spending my money and time just to achieve peace because I love them and the Igbos because I wants unity of my people , peace is our major priority without unity no progress”. He stated.
He called on all Ndi Eze and other Igbo leaders to support peace so that Ndigbo in Lagos State can move forward, adding that he has invested time and resources into reconciling Chief Solomon and Chief Ossai, driven by his love for Ndigbo and his desire for lasting peace.
Eze Njoku also highlighted his motivation for establishing the Igbo School (Ulo Nmuta Omenala Na Asusu Igbo), saying, “My ambition and reason for becoming Ezendigbo is for the unity and progress of Ndigbo. I want our language to survive for our children and generations to come.”
Chief Emmanuel Ubah (Otunba Ojoto) applauded Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene and his Counterpart Chief Sunday Ossai for agreeing to shead their sword and allow peace to reign.
He stressed the need for a strong and united front by Ndigbo, urging all to put the Igbo interest above narrow interests and partisan politics, while extolling the unity displayed by Chief Solomon and Chief Ossai,whom he said have demonstrated so much, noting that peace could be achieved when patriotism, altruism, and sense of brotherhood are at the core of leadership.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo represents the soul of our people, and is firmly anchored on the conviction that we are stronger together. That soul of the people is our unifying force.
“We will certainly achieve far more when we fully embrace the value of speaking as a collective voice – not as lone, discordant voices,” he stated.
Reiterating the place of unity in achieving the Igbo collective interest, Chief Ubah added, “One of the simplest – but most profound – lessons that best convey the importance of unity is the quiver of arrows metaphor. A single arrow can be broken with much ease. But a stack of arrows stays firm even under an intense squeeze.
“It is in our collective interest to work towards that goal – not by mere wish but through our actions.”
Investigator news gathered that the peace deal was sealed with a public declaration by both leaders, witnessed by Igbo sons and daughters, Ndi Eze, chiefs, women leaders, and community members.
The success of the peace meeting has also highlighted the importance of traditional leaders and community elders in promoting unity and reconciliation. Their efforts have shown that with determination and goodwill, even the most entrenched conflicts can be resolved.
The reconciliation has sparked joy and hope among Ndigbo in Lagos, with many calling for an end to divisive politics and a focus on development. As the community moves forward,with both Chief Solomon Aguene and Chief Ossai embracing peace and committing to work together for the progress of Ndigbo in Lagos,attention now turns to the forthcoming election in April 2026.
It will be recalled that the two factions of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, led by Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene (Udochia) and Chief Sunday Ossai (Stainless), had been locked in a power tussle for three to four years and today both leaders has finally agreed to make peace and work toward electing a new president to spearhead Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State.