Chief Solomon Ogbonna, the court-consent president of Lagos State Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has given an explanation for his decision to form an electoral committee in order to hold elections for the top Igbo sociocultural organization’s offices.
He stated in an interview over the weekend that his term is coming to an end and that he wants the committee to hold elections in order to select the organization’s officials who will succeed the existing executive.
Ogbonna stated that he does not want a void that would exacerbate the organization’s current crisis when his term in office ends in 2026.
“Anyone who parades himself as the head of the organization in Lagos State is disobeying an order of a court of competent jurisdiction and is in contempt of court,” he said, claiming to be the legitimate president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State. Until a superior issues a contrary ruling, I remain the legal president of the Lagos State chapter of Ohanaze Ndigbo, he contended, citing the court agreement that allowed him to assume office.
“Anyone who poses as the president of Ohanaeze is in contempt of court and faces a lengthy jail sentence.” “Yes, I will ensure that anyone who disregards the court’s decision is imprisoned,” he said. Ogbonna responded to the Lagos State Ohanaeze Ndigbo, chaired by Sunday Ossai, suspending him by saying that they had the authority to do so.
How are they able to suspend me? Who informed them that they could suspend me? They are aware that they are out of order. Since they are in contempt of court, they all run the risk of going to jail; before they can take any action, they must successfully revoke the order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction,” he proposed. Chief Sunday Ossai’s spokesperson, Prince Ubochi C. Ubochi, asserted that Ogbonna’s assertions were unfounded.
Read Also: Amaechi: APC Has Lost the Trust to Lead Nigeria into a Better Future
He said Ogbonna wanted to remain in office and that the Lagos State Ohanaeze Ndigbo suspended him because his term as president had ended many months prior.
When it was revealed that Ogbonna had acquired a consent judgment in secret, he was suspended and impeached, according to Ohanaeze, the spokesperson for the president of Lagos.
According to Ubochi, Ogbonna would not be allowed to rejoin Lagos State Ohanaeze Ndigbo until he changes his ways and offers the group’s members an unconditional apology for the hurt he has caused. He lacks the authority to speak for or represent Lagos State Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
According to Ubochi, Lagos State Ohanaeze Ndigbo has initiated legal action to contest and overturn the ruling that Ogbnna received from the court.
