Following the conclusion of the recently conducted Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State election held on April 6, 2026, at Enugu-Ukwu Hall in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, one of the Presidential Candidates, Chief Emmanuel Udoagha Ubah, popularly known as Otunba Ojoto, has spoken extensively on the outcome of the election, the state of Ohanaeze in Lagos, and the need for unity among Ndigbo.
Chief Ubah, who currently serves as the Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Otto Awori LCDA shared his thoughts on the election process, his relationship with the newly elected President, Chief Leonard Okafor, and the way forward for the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization in Lagos State.
In this Exclusive interview with INVESTIGATOR NEWS he also addressed issues surrounding the role of the National Executive Council (NEC), internal challenges within the organization, and his hopes for a more united and progressive Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos.
Below are excerpts from the interview.
Good day sir, please can you introduce yourself and tell us your current position?
Good day my brother. My name is Chief Emmanuel Udoagha Ubah, popularly known as Otunba Ojoto. I am the current Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Otto-Awori LCDA, Lagos State. I was also one of the aspirants who contested for the position of President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos during the election held on April 6, 2026, at Enugu-Ukwu Hall, Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Lagos State.
Question:What motivated you to contest for the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos?
My motivation was purely based on service, unity, and the desire to contribute meaningfully to the progress of Ndigbo in Lagos State. I have always believed that Ohanaeze should remain a platform that protects the welfare, dignity, and collective interest of the Igbo people irrespective of political or factional differences.
I wanted to bring inclusiveness, reconciliation, and stronger grassroots participation into the organization.
Question:What was the outcome of the election?
The election ended with Chief Leonard Okafor, popularly known as Oba Ojoto, emerging as President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State. Even before the final announcement of the result, I personally walked up to him and congratulated him because I believe peace and unity are more important than personal ambition.
Leadership should never be approached as a do-or-die affair. At the end of the day, we are all brothers working for the interest of Ndigbo.
Question:Was the election free and fair?
No election can be said to be completely perfect, especially in Nigeria, but I must commend the electoral committee for the effort they made. Under the leadership of Hon. Calistus Odoemenam, the committee tried to conduct a credible process.
I also appreciate members of the committee including Gabby Osueke, Jude Onyeabor, Rev. Paul Eze, Dr. Dom Femi Ferguson, and Barr. Nkechi Agubuzor for their commitment throughout the exercise.
Question:The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos election held on April 6, 2026, has continued to generate controversy, especially over reports of a subsisting court order allegedly restraining the conduct of the election. Critics argue that proceeding with the exercise raised concerns about legality and due process. How do you reconcile your participation in the election with those legal concerns?
At the time of the election, I participated in good faith based on the information available to me as a presidential aspirant. I was made to understand that there was urgency in conducting the election before the expiration of an earlier consent arrangement and that the process had legal backing and institutional approval.
However, I later became deeply concerned after seeing reports and documents circulating on social media indicating that there was a subsisting court order maintaining status quo and allegedly restraining actions relating to the process.
To be very honest, if I had prior knowledge of any subsisting court order restraining the election, I would not have participated in the exercise. I entered the contest believing the process was lawful and properly authorized.
I also believe some persons involved in the process may have been aware of developments that were not fully disclosed to aspirants and stakeholders at the time.
Question:There are claims that after the election, some persons later informed the court that no valid election took place despite what happened on April 6. What is your reaction to that?
I can only speak based on what I personally witnessed. I was physically present at Enugu-Ukwu Hall on April 6, 2026, and there was clearly an election process. Aspirants were present, delegates attended, security operatives including DSS personnel were visible at the venue, and electoral activities took place.
As far as I am concerned, those are facts I witnessed personally. Therefore, any position later presented before the court suggesting otherwise is something the relevant parties and their legal representatives are in the best position to explain.
If necessary, I am willing to testify anywhere in the interest of truth, justice, and transparency.
Question:You sounded disappointed about how information regarding the court matter was handled. Can you explain further?
Yes, I was deeply disturbed after learning about reports of the court order and other developments that were allegedly not disclosed to aspirants and stakeholders before the election.
From the explanations given to us at the time, many of us believed the urgency to conduct the election was because of concerns surrounding the expiration of an earlier consent arrangement. Based on those explanations, we participated believing everything was in order.
That is why I keep saying transparency is very important in leadership and organizational matters.
Question:There have also been allegations of inducement of voters and mobilization of supporters during the election. Did you observe anything that raised concerns?
Election-related allegations are common in many competitive contests. While I observed aspects of the process that appeared organized, I also believe every concern raised by members deserves attention and proper examination.
For confidence in any electoral process to be maintained, allegations relating to inducement, mobilization, or other irregularities should be objectively addressed through the appropriate structures and internal mechanisms of the organization.
Question:Do you believe claims of financial inducement and external influence deserve investigation?
Whenever members raise concerns about transparency or fairness, leadership should never dismiss such concerns outright. Every credible organization must encourage accountability, openness, and dialogue.
If there are allegations, the best approach is to examine them objectively so that confidence in the institution can be strengthened rather than weakened.
Question:Some critics claimed unfamiliar faces were seen at the election venue and questioned whether genuine stakeholders alone influenced the process. What is your response?
People will always have different interpretations after a competitive election. What is important is that concerns should be addressed with facts, maturity, and proper institutional mechanisms instead of emotions.
At this stage, the priority should be reconciliation and rebuilding confidence among members.
Question:What is your advice to the newly elected President, Chief Leonard Okafor?
My advice remains the same: he should carry everybody along. Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos is too important and too influential to be controlled by only a few individuals or groups.
He should work towards genuine reconciliation, peace, and inclusiveness. He must engage elders, youths, women, stakeholders, and even those who did not support him during the election.
That is the only way lasting peace and progress can be achieved.
Question:What is your final message to Ndigbo in Lagos State?
My appeal to Ndigbo in Lagos State is that we should prioritize unity above division. No organization can grow in an atmosphere of endless conflict and suspicion.
We must embrace dialogue, mutual respect, and collective responsibility. Ohanaeze belongs to all of us, and everybody must work together to protect its integrity and future for generations to come.
Thank you for your time.!
You are welcomeÂ