2023 Election: Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State Chapter, Backed Tinubu, Sanwo-Olu Re-election Bid
By: Fanayajo Ranti, The Tochlight Africa News
On Tuesday 9th of August, 2022 the Apex Igbo organization, popularly called Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, led by the amiable President, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Augene, endorsed Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Presidential candidacy and the re-election bid of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The Tochlight Africa News reports that the endorsement took place at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Secretariat in Surulere, Lagos, saw key Igbo stakeholders converged and made the declaration.
The declaration was attended by top dignitaries from across all Igbo’s interest such as the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers in Lagos State, Eze Lawrence Nnamdi Eze; Ezendigbo Lagos State, Eze Christian Nwachukwu; top traditional rulers from various local government areas in the state; captains of industry, including market leaders, men, and women from across Lagos.
Chief Aguene, President of Ohanaeze, explained that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Political Forum was established to give the Igbo’s in Lagos state political direction because Ohanaeze is an apolitical organisation that promotes Igbo culture and tradition in Lagos State.
Aguene, on the other hand, noted that Ndigbo have benefited greatly from the Lagos State Government and have made significant investments in the state. Importantly, It would be foolish not to support the Lagos state government, particularly Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who have accommodated the Igbos over the years.
He stated that it was not for him to declare the Igbo’s position because he had formed the political wing of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State and directed the Chairman, Chief Chris Ekwilo, to speak on Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s decision in the upcoming election in 2023.
At that point, Chief Ekwilo stated that this was the first time the Igbo’s in Lagos State are getting it right, and that the Igbo in the state will give both Asiwaju Tinubu and Gov. Sanwo-Olu block votes in the upcoming election.
He explained that the Igbo have done it before and will do it again in the upcoming election while urging the Lagos State Government to collaborate with Ohanaeze via the political wing led by him.
Chief Ekwilo stated that the Igbo political actors in the APC had merged under the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Political Forum and are ready to work and deliver block votes for the ruling party in Lagos State.
Eze Christian Nwachukwu also spoke in favour of the endorsement and praised Chief Aguene, President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, for establishing the Political Forum.
He emphasised the importance of working together to deliver Lagos to the state’s ruling party and asked the government to recognise the Igbo’s efforts in the state.
He advised Igbos in Lagos State to ensure they have their PVC in place and in order to vote for the APC.
However, Eze Lawrence Eze backed the decision and urged the Lagos Ohanaeze Political Forum leadership to reach out to the state traditional leaders of Igbo’s to learn about their roles in supporting the Lagos state government during the election
Chief Anselm Udoka, Deputy Chairman of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Political Forum, stated that the Igbo got it right by establishing the Political Forum and appointing Chief Ekwilo as Chairman. He further stressed that with the political actors in the state; various Igbo political groups, namely United Coalition, Mandate, Vision, and Southeast, collapsing their structures into Ohanaeze Ndigbo Political Forum, he is confident that Ndigbo will cast block votes for Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu.
Other speakers at the event included Chief Babatata Uche, founder of Igbo Vision, Lady Africa, Secretary of Ohanaeze Political Forum, Chief Smart Onyia, Chief Solomon Chukwu, and others, all of whom spoke in favour of the Ohanaeze’s decision to support Tinubu and Sanwo-Olu in 2023..