LAGOS – The Lagos State chapter of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has denied reports by an online platform that the police disrupted its meeting on Saturday and members teargassed and jumped over the fence.
Speaking with Daily Independent on Sunday, the general secretary of the organization, Chief Robert Obasi, said that the police did not disrupt the meeting and did not teargas members that attended the meeting.
According to him, what happened was that Chief Solomon Ogbonna, the erstwhile president of the organization, whose tenure ended in 2022 and still claims to be president of the organization, misinformed the police and told them to stop the meeting.
According to Obasi, “Saturday was a great day in the life of the Lagos chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo as members gathered in a great number to listen to reports and activities of the new president general of Ohanaeze Worldwide, Chief Azuka Mbata.
In addition, the President Lagos State chapter Chief Sunday Ossai, and his executive members set up various committees that will ensure the smooth running of the organization.
Obasi said, “However, a contingent of seven policemen came and requested to see the chairman of Ndieze in Lagos, Eze Chris Offiah; they said that they had a letter inviting him to come to Force Headquarters and explain his side of the story. I collected and signed on his behalf and promised that Eze Offiah will report to Force Headquarters on Monday.
“The police officers thereafter left and the meeting continued without hindrance and important decisions were taken. One was setting up a committee to review the bylaws of the organization”.
The general secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos, explained Chief John Uche, a former president the organization, Chief Everest Ozonweke, the coordinator of Ohanaeze Southwest, Chief Vitus Uzor, former Deputy President to Solomon and other prominent members were present at the meeting.
Ndieze Lagos were also represented at the meeting by Eze Okechukwu Anorue, Eze Ndigbo of Igbogbo Bayero and Eze Stive Etolue, Eze Ndigbo of Badagry.
Speaking on the action by Ogbonna, Obasi explained that erstwhile president was elected in 2018 and his tenure expired in 2022, adding there is no room for two terms in the organization. He disclosed that Ogbonna took Ebonyi’s turn and it is now the turn of Enugu and Chief Sunday Ossai was elected to the leadership platform as an indigene of Enugu State.
However, Prince Ubochi C. Ubochi, the Traditional Minister of Amaifeke who was at the meeting, described conduct of the police contingent as “exemplary and professional”. He frowned at what he described as irresponsible reporting by journalists that can send a wrong signal, cause civil unrest and bring the Nigerian Police to disrepute.
He also showered encomium on Deputy Commissioner of Police Ime Udofia, for following due process in the manner he handled the matter.
Ubochi promised the invitation would be honoured by the organization.
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