Community leader seeks unity, progress of Ndigbo in Ibadan

By Oluseye Ojo

The Onyendu Ndigbo of Ibadan and Oyo State, Chief Alloy Obi, has harped on true unity and progress of Ndigbo in Oyo State.
He made the call in his reaction to the Court of Appeal judgment that resolved the leadership crisis that rocked Igbo community in Ibadan and Oyo State for 28 years.
The court of appellate jurisdiction upheld the election of Chief Alloy Obi as the legitimate leader of the Igbo community in Ibadan and Oyo State, putting an end to the prolonged dispute.
The judgment came in the wake of the death of Dr. Alex Anozie, a key figure in the leadership battle, known as the Eze Ndigbo of Oyo State. Obi, who expressed gratitude for the peaceful resolution of the crisis, paid tribute to Anozie and emphasised the need for reconciliation and cooperation within the community.
He enjoined the Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state to organise sovereign Igbo conference in Oyo State to chart a roadmap and blueprint for a true unity and progress of Ndigbo in the state.
Obi said: “It is a thing of joy for me that throughout the 28 years that the crisis lasted, no life was lost to it, as those who died, died of natural deaths.
“On my part, I would work with the leadership of Ohanaeze in the state to put in place a committee that would see to the reconciliation of all parties in the overall interest of the Igbo in Ibadanland and Oyo State in general. To the members of the Igbo General Assembly, who conferred on me as their leader, I promise that I would not disappoint them.”
President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the state, Ndubuisi Okorie, hailed the judicial pronouncement, describing it as a significant milestone that restored dignity and authority to the Igbo traditional leadership in the state.