The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has issued a stern warning to the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) faction led by Uchenna Madu, urging them to desist from meddling in Ohanaeze leadership affairs.
The warning comes in response to MASSOB's recent endorsement of Chief Senator John Azuta Mbata as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene as President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State.
In a statement released on Monday, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, expressed surprise that MASSOB under Madu had abandoned its Biafra agitation to now dictate Ohanaeze leadership matters.
"Solomon Aguene is not President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos. His tenure expired long time ago and his endorsement by a factional leadership of MASSOB led by Uchenna Madu cannot change it," Nnabuike declared.
He further alleged that the endorsement statement was procured in a desperate bid to gain legitimacy, describing it as "dead on arrival."
Leadership Controversy
The Ohanaeze youth leader accused Aguene of attempting to perpetually remain as president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos despite his expired tenure. According to Nnabuike, Aguene had previously sought recognition from late Prof. George Obiozor and late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu without success.
"Now he wants to force himself on Mbata with a purchased endorsement by a faction of MASSOB," Nnabuike stated, adding that they were aware of individuals working with "enemies of Ndigbo in Lagos to curry favour" and promised to expose them at the appropriate time.
The youth council reaffirmed that Chief Jackson Omenazu remains the authentic President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and warned that they would not allow the imposition of a "stranger" on Ndigbo as their leader.
The statement advised MASSOB and similar groups to "stay off Ohanaeze activities and face their agitation," suggesting that if they were tired of their original mission, they should find something else to do rather than "turning Ohanaeze leadership into a business venture."
This development highlights ongoing tensions within Igbo leadership structures and raises questions about the boundaries between political advocacy groups and cultural organizations in southeastern Nigeria.
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