Hon Robert Obasi, the Secretary General of the Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Lagos State Chapter, told The Sun Nigeria that the disputed election of Chief Leonard Okafor – who styles himself “Oba Ojoto” – is void and that there are no factions operating within the Lagos chapter. He said the Lagos High Court’s order of 30 March 2026, which barred any election, remains in force and that the national body still regards the Lagos presidency as vacant.
Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo describes itself as a sociocultural organization rather than a political party, though its executives inevitably engage in internal politics. Obasi, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply and the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, entered Ohanaeze politics after working with former Lagos chapter president High Chief Solomon Aguene Ogbonna. When a seat was zoned to Ebonyi State in 2022, Obasi – an Ebonyi native – contested and won the Secretary General position.
According to Obasi, a series of “jamboree” gatherings that purported to reconcile the Solomon Ogbonna and Sunday Ossai groups never involved the Secretary General, rendering any such meetings ineffective. He explained that the High Court in Sabo Yaba, presided over by Justice Mosunmola Balogun, issued a subsisting order on 30 March 2026 to maintain the status quo and prohibit any election. Despite this, an “election” was held on Easter Monday, 6 April 2026, which installed Chief Leonard Okafor as Lagos chapter president. Obasi said the election did not meet Ohanaeze’s constitutional requirements because the National Elections Committee (NEC) from the headquarters in Enugu was absent.
Obasi noted that the national leadership, including President General Senator John Azuta‑Mbata, has confirmed that the Lagos presidency remains vacant. He added that both Oba Ojoto and former president Ogbonna have been denied entry to Ohanaeze premises and have not attended national meetings, indicating they are not recognised by the worldwide body.
Looking ahead, Obasi affirmed that his chapter operates without factions and that any group claiming otherwise must answer to the parent organisation and its President General. He said he will continue to take instructions from Senator Azuta‑Mbata and work to preserve unity among the Igbo community in Lagos.
<small>Source: The Sun Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
