KINGSLEY EBERE
The leadership dispute in the Lagos State Chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has taken a new turn, following a response to the rejection of the National Fact-Finding Committee constituted by the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta-Mbata.
The response was contained in a press statement signed by Apostle Patrick A. Nwanze, JP, who described himself as an Ohanaeze Ndigbo Stakeholder and President-General of the Apex Association of Anioma Indigenes Inc. (AAAI).
The statement was issued in reaction to an earlier press release dated 12th November 2026, said to have been issued by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State Executive Council and signed by Comrade Mike Orji, announcing the rejection of the committee.
According to Apostle Nwanze, the arguments raised in that earlier publication should be examined against the background of the disputed Lagos election, the directives of the national leadership, and a subsisting order of a court.
Disputed Leadership Claim
In the statement, Apostle Nwanze said the claim by Comrade Mike Orji to the position of Secretary of the Lagos State Executive Council remains disputed. He argued that the recognition status of the group should be a matter for consideration by the Global Executive Council (GEC) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
He further stated that the national leadership has consistently maintained that elections in state chapters must comply with the constitution and established electoral procedures of the organisation, including authorisation and participation of the national leadership.
According to him, a state chapter cannot unilaterally disregard those institutional requirements and later demand automatic recognition of its electoral outcome.
Court Order And April 6 Election
A central part of the statement focused on the purported election of 6th April 2026.
Apostle Nwanze referred to an order of the Lagos State High Court, Yaba Judicial Division, presided over by Honourable Justice M. M. Balogun, on 31st March 2026, in Suit No. YSD/9680GCM/2025.
According to the statement, the court directed parties to maintain the status quo as it existed on 31st March 2026, with election-related activities suspended pending further proceedings.
He argued that, against this background, questions have been raised about compliance with the court’s directive in relation to the purported election of 6th April 2026.
The statement also referred to subsequent media reports attributed to Mr. Cally Odoemenam, Chairman of the Lagos Electoral Committee, in which he was reported to have acknowledged that the election conducted on 6th April 2026 was in error because it allegedly violated a subsisting court order. Apostle Nwanze said this reported admission reinforces the need for an impartial examination of the circumstances surrounding the election.
ADR Process And Court Orders
On the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process directed by the court, the statement said the ADR provided an opportunity for parties to explore an amicable resolution.
It added that neither the ADR process nor an adjournment should be interpreted as automatically extinguishing an existing judicial directive, noting that court orders are binding and must be respected by all parties.
Role Of The President-General
The statement also addressed the argument that Senator John Azuta-Mbata was required to consult every stakeholder listed in the earlier publication before constituting the committee.
Apostle Nwanze described that argument as misconceived, stating that as President-General, Senator Azuta-Mbata bears responsibility for protecting the constitutional integrity, institutional discipline and unity of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
According to him, a fact-finding committee is an internal administrative mechanism for gathering evidence, examining events and submitting recommendations to the appropriate national authority. He said it is neither an election nor a judicial tribunal, but a process to establish facts and hear relevant parties.
Other Issues Raised For Investigation
The statement listed other issues it said require investigation, including a reported communication from the national leadership dated 31st December 2025, directing that the proposed Lagos election should not proceed without necessary national authorisation.
It asked why that directive was allegedly not respected and why the electoral process reportedly proceeded despite the court intervention of 31st March 2026.
It also mentioned reports of discrepancies in affidavits and accounts concerning the actual date of the purported election, with references to 29th March and 6th April 2026. According to the statement, these matters, alongside relevant electoral documents and statements attributed to the Electoral Committee Chairman, deserve proper examination.
Boycott Will Not Stop Committee
On the decision of the group to boycott the committee, Apostle Nwanze said participation is an opportunity for every interested party to present evidence and defend its position.
He argued that a refusal to participate does not invalidate the mandate of the committee or automatically render its findings inconsequential.
He added that the committee remains committed to fairness, impartiality and objectivity, and to affording all relevant parties an opportunity to be heard.
Call For Constitutional Order
In conclusion, the statement described Ohanaeze Ndigbo as a national socio-cultural institution governed by its constitution and established structures, and not the private property of any individual, faction or interest group.
It called for respect for the President-General, the Global Executive Council, the constitution of the organisation and judicial institutions.
It further encouraged the President-General and the Global Executive Council to proceed with the fact-finding exercise within their constitutional and institutional authority, while ensuring that all relevant parties are given a fair opportunity to submit evidence.
Note: The claims in this report are as contained in the press statement by Apostle Patrick A. Nwanze. The other party mentioned in the report has previously stated its own position in its press release of 12th November 2026.
