Onwah sets the record straight on state of affairs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter amid rumours of 2026 Election

Chief Dan Emeka Onwah, Chairman (C of C) of the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter, has bared his mind on happenings in the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter, dismissing as false, misleading, and mischievous the rumour circulating about an alleged plan to conduct Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos elections in 2026 without due consultation.

He has as well clarified the authentic position of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter, while addressing the issue of parallel leadership, calling for peace, order, and unity among stakeholders.

He extended his heartfelt goodwill to his fellow duly elected Chairmen, the State Executive led by High Chief Sunday Ossai and honourable stakeholders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter, wishing them a brighter and blessed 2026 ahead.

He equally consoled members of the organisation who were bereaved last year and early this year, including some local governments that lost prominent members and some chairmen who lost their wives. He prayed that the Almighty God would comfort and strengthen everyone of them and grant them all the fortitude to bear these irreparable losses.Clarifying the issue of faction in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter, Chief Onwah said, “For the avoidance of doubt, I am the Chairman of the 57 LGAs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter and not a member of any parallel group of chairmen allegedly set up by Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene to create confusion and community unrest. I am with the authentic Ohaneze Ndigbo Lagos State led by Chief Sunday Ossai.

“Let me begin by clearly stating that all stakeholders and members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter should completely disregard the rumours and speculations suggesting that the Chief Ossai-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter is planning an emergency election in 2026.

To the best of my knowledge, this claim is false, misleading, and malicious. My position in Ohanaeze is central to any such planning and I can state categorically that no such plan exists at the moment as rumored.

Chief Ossai Sunday remains the authentic and duly elected President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter, in full compliance with the constitution governing our organisation. The individual being paraded as President, Chief Solomon Ogbonna, is not the legitimate leader of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter but is merely relying on a court consent judgment. He is the one planning to hurriedly conduct an election without the NEC of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide as we know. He has nominated his electoral committee and Solomon Ogbonna Aguene is keen to conduct another illegal election in Lagos to continue to drag the name of our apex organisation in the mud in Lagos State.

It is on record that Solomon Ogbonna Aguene misled and manipulated the court to obtain what is known as consent judgment with which he is parading himself as president of Ohanaeze. The fundamental question remains: how can someone who is neither President nor a recognised leader of any Ohanaeze Ndigbo faction validly give consent on behalf of the entire organisation to one man? Did Solomon Ogbonna Aguene become president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State in 2018 with a court judgment? He will answer these questions and more some day.

Let me state authoritatively that there is no meeting, discussion, or plan to conduct any election in Lagos outside the directives of the National Executive Council (NEC). We stand firmly on the national mandate and cannot operate against the authority of our National Headquarters.

Unfortunately, Chief Solomon Ogbonna has continued to create unrest by setting up parallel leadership structures across various sectors. These actions have promoted community disorder and significantly undermined the relevance and credibility of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State.

My advice to all authentic members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter is to remain calm, peaceful, and law-abiding, irrespective of the numerous provocations and confrontations from Chief Solomon Ogbonna and his group, whose actions clearly undermine Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State Constitution, justice, fairness, and equity.

I encourage all local governments and LCDAs to continue to hold their various monthly meetings in the New Year 2026. I want to assure them that the Ossai-led Lagos Ohanaeze Ndigbo is still making consultations with all relevant stakeholders and NEC on how to conduct all inclusive elections in Lagos that will bring peace and unity among our people and when that consultation is concluded, everyone will be carried along on true positions of things as regards to Ohanaeze Ndigbo election in Lagos State.

Long live Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State!

Long live Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide!!

Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria!!!”