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The leadership of the Apex Association of Anioma Indigenes Inc., an affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has formally declared the readiness of the Anioma people to present a credible candidate for the position of President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter, in the 2026 general elections.
This declaration was made in a statement released by the President-General of the association,
Apostle Patrick A. Nwanze (Agu Anioma).
According to the statement:
“The leadership of the Apex Association of Anioma Indigenes Inc., an affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, hereby addresses the esteemed stakeholders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter — including the respected current President-General, Presidents of all Igbo-speaking states and communities, leaders of thought, elders, women, youths and all lovers of justice, fairness and truth.
At this defining moment in our collective journey, we reaffirm the sacred principles that have guided Ohanaeze Ndigbo from inception: equity, rotational leadership, inclusion, mutual respect and unity. These principles were consistently upheld by past and present President-Generals, including the late Ambassador Prof. George Obiozor, who unequivocally emphasised that the Lagos State President’s office must continue to rotate among all constituent states of Ohanaeze.
In line with this long-established and respected rotational arrangement, the turn for 2026 rightly and indisputably belongs to Delta State (Anioma). This is not open to debate or negotiation. It is simply the natural fulfilment of justice, fairness and the integrity of our collective agreements.”
The statement further affirmed:
“Accordingly, Anioma will present a seasoned, administratively balanced, competent and thoroughly tested candidate, one with a long, clean and verifiable record of active participation at all levels of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, with deep knowledge of the structures, processes and day-to-day operations of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter.
Such depth of understanding is essential to run a flawless, stable and transparent administration that restores dignity, strengthens unity and commands the confidence of the entire Igbo community in Lagos.”
Reinforcing the principle of rotation, the statement added:
“Furthermore, in strict adherence to the existing rotational order, leadership will naturally shift to Rivers State after Anioma, ensuring the circle of justice remains unbroken and that no state is perpetually excluded.
This is the very logic sustaining unity at the national level of Ohanaeze today. Without rotational equity, states such as Delta and Rivers may never have produced a President-General or Secretary-General due to the overwhelming population advantage of two dominant states. Equity remains the pillar that holds our house together.”
Addressing internal challenges in the Lagos Chapter, the statement noted:
“We have endured prolonged crises, factionalism and institutional instability because bylaws and guidelines were manipulated and weaponised, in violation of the foundational principle that no Ohanaeze member should take internal matters to the police or courts.
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The result is the unfortunate emergence of a ‘Consent Judgment President’, a development that should trouble all who seek unity, credibility and order within Ohanaeze Lagos.”
The statement went further to condemn unhealthy and corrupt practices:
“Even more alarming is the introduction of offensive and unacceptable practices that degrade the moral foundation of Ohanaeze.
The dangerous idea that the highest bidder takes it all is alien to a socio-cultural organisation. It reduces leadership quality, encourages fraudulent tendencies, commercialises our revered institution and drags Ohanaeze Ndigbo into partisan mud. Because the office is purchased, accountability is disregard and wont be demanded.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not and must never become a political party. Its sacred mandate is to protect the welfare of Ndigbo, promote unity, project our culture and ensure harmonious coexistence with host communities. Any deviation threatens the very soul of the organisation.”
Responding to those citing a Lagos bylaw claiming “No Rotation,” the statement cautioned:
“You cannot selectively enforce bylaws while ignoring the foundational principles, collective agreements and moral compass upon which Ohanaeze stands.
Ndigbo cannot lament marginalisation nationally while practising an even worse form of marginalisation locally. This is the height of hypocrisy.”
Finally, the President-General issued a call to collective responsibility:
“We call upon all stakeholders, elders, state presidents, community leaders, youth organisations, women groups, traditional institutions and all lovers of truth, to rise in defence of justice, fairness and the unity of our people.
Let us honour our covenant.
Let us defend the integrity of our collective agreements.
Let us uphold truth without compromise.
Let fairness prevail so that unity may endure.
Anioma’s time has come.
History will record where each of us stood at this crucial moment of truth.”
