………‘Robert Obasi’s Tenure Expired, He Lacks Mandate to Convene Meeting’.
Emmanuel Clement.
LAGOS — The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State has disowned a purported General Assembly meeting scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, describing it as illegal, unconstitutional and lacking the authority of the state chapter.
In a statement issued by the State Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Comrade Mike Orji, who issued the statement on behalf of the elected Executive Committee and stakeholders of Ndigbo in Lagos, urged members of the organisation not to attend the proposed gathering.
Orji said the meeting was being convened and promoted by what he described as a group of dissidents, including Chief Everest Ozonweke, Prince Ubochi, Mrs. Violet Obiora and Chief Robert Obasi.
He maintained that the proposed assembly was not convened in accordance with the Constitution and bye-laws of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, stressing that any resolutions, elections or decisions that might emerge from the gathering would not be recognised by the elected leadership.
According to him, Robert Obasi no longer has the constitutional authority to convene or speak on behalf of the Lagos State chapter, following the expiration of his four-year tenure as Secretary on June 14, 2026.
Orji alleged that despite the expiration of his tenure, Obasi had refused to hand over to the duly elected Secretary, describing the development as a breach of the constitution and bye-laws of the organisation.
The Secretary also cited Article 14 of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Constitution, which, according to him, requires the Secretary to consult the State President before convening a General Assembly.
He questioned whether Obasi had obtained the necessary consultation and approval from the current leadership, noting that Chief Leonard Okoafor, popularly known as Oba Ojoto, is the duly elected President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.
Orji further challenged the authority of Chief Ozonweke and Prince Ubochi to convene a General Assembly of the Lagos State chapter, arguing that neither of them is part of the elected Lagos State Executive Committee.
He said the proposed meeting amounted to an attempt to usurp the authority of the elected leadership and urged members of the organisation to remain committed to the constitutional structures of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.
The leadership consequently directed all members not to attend the August 15 meeting, warning that anyone who chooses to participate would be doing so in a private capacity and would not be regarded as representing Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.
It also urged members not to recognise any resolution, election or decision purportedly taken at the meeting, describing such outcomes as invalid.
The statement reaffirmed the leadership of Chief Leonard Okoafor as the duly elected President of the Lagos State chapter and called on members to remain loyal to the elected Executive Committee.
Orji also appealed to the Lagos State Government, security agencies and members of the public to take note of the development, alleging that the group behind the proposed gathering was attempting to create confusion over the legitimate leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos.
He stressed that the affairs of the organisation must be conducted in accordance with its Constitution and bye-laws, rather than through what he described as unauthorised actions, while assuring members that the elected leadership would continue to use constitutional and lawful means to protect the integrity and unity of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.
