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An Ohanaeze chieftain in Lagos, Okwara Linus, who is also Nnandigbo in Diaspora, has expressed support for the recent peace move by the Council of Ndieze in Lagos State.
The members of the council met recently to discuss how to end the crisis that has rocked the council over the years.
Present at the meeting were those loyal to the Chief Solomon Ogbonna and Chief Sunday Ossai groups. Also present were those from the Igbo-speaking community. The traditional rulers resolved to set up a reconciliation committee, comprising five people from each group.
They agreed that peace and unity are critical to achieving development and prosperity and pledged to pursue peace.
Okwara, who is also an All Progressive Congress (APC) chieftain, said he was happy that peace is returning to the council in his time.
“Without peace we cannot achieve unity. Unity is important. I believe that one day, the Igbo man will be president of this country. It’s important we unite.
“As the Nna Ndigbo, I will do my best to bring the Igbo together. I urge them to seek peace in their communities and respect the leadership of the state they dwell in.”
Okwara praised members of the council for seeking peace and unity in their ranks, adding that their voice will be heard and listened to if they are united. He urged them to seek peace and ignore personal interests.
On his part, Eze Chris Offiah, the Chairman of the Council of Ndi Eze, Lagos State, disclosed that he was approaching the end of his tenure and stressed the need to unite the council for the purpose of electing an executive council that would represent all the members.
He stated that his tenure as chairman of the council was difficult and turbulent, adding that he was summoned to many cases that he did not know anything about. He disclosed that he spent a huge sum of money on the cases, urging members of the council and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State to embrace peace.
Also speaking, Ogbonna, the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State, said he has reconciled with Ossai, the president of the other faction, declaring that peace has returned to the organisation.
Ogbonna disclosed that he and Ossai were working hand-in-hand to unite all members of the organisation, in order to move the body forward.
Ossai corroborated everything that Ogbonna said about peace returning to the organisation, adding that he is a man of peace and would do everything to ensure that peace returns to Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State.
However, Chief Charles Odunkwe read a letter from the South East Council of Traditional Rulers (SECTR) which sought to reform and restructure ezeship outside Igbo land, and change the title to Onyendu. After a debate, the council agreed to meet the committee that SECTR set up for a discussion.
