OHA­NAEZE NDIGBO LAGOS DISPUTE: UNIEC CALLS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER, VERIFIED RECORDS, ADR AND ELDERLY MEDIATION. Let the Constitution Speak. Let Justice Prevail. Let Ndigbo Remain One.

Let the Constitution Speak. Let Justice Prevail. Let Ndigbo Remain One. NEWS COMMENTARY

OHA­NAEZE NDIGBO LAGOS LEADERSHIP DISPUTE: UNIEC CALLS FOR CONSTITUTIONAL ORDER, DOCUMENTARY CLARITY AND ELDERLY MEDIATION

“Let the Constitution Speak, Let the Records Speak, Let Justice Prevail.”

Custodians of Heritage • Voices of Conscience • Advocates of Justice and Unity Advancing Humanity • Empowering Generations • Building a Greater Igbo Society

The Supreme Elderly Council of the United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide has taken note of the recent public clarification attributed to Chief Robert Obasi, Secretary-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, concerning the office of the South-West Coordinator, the leadership controversy in Lagos and recent developments involving the national leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

UNIEC acknowledges the seriousness of the issues raised. However, as an elder institution committed to peace, constitutional order, justice and institutional stability, the Council considers it necessary to approach the matter with wisdom, restraint, fairness and respect for due process.

UNIEC does not consider public accusations, counter-accusations or media exchanges sufficient to finally determine disputed constitutional or legal questions.

CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS MUST BE DETERMINED BY AUTHORITATIVE RECORDS

The controversy surrounding the office of the South-West Coordinator, the authority of zonal structures and the leadership of the Lagos State Chapter should, in the considered view of UNIEC, be resolved primarily through the applicable Ohanaeze Constitution and By-Laws, duly authorised resolutions, appointment instruments, certified judicial processes and other authentic institutional records.

Where competing interpretations of constitutional provisions exist, the appropriate constitutional organs or competent courts should be allowed to determine the matter.

As the elders say:

“When two persons disagree about the law, let the Constitution speak; when the records differ, let the authentic records prevail.”

UNIEC therefore cautions all parties against presenting contested assertions as established facts until they have been independently verified through competent institutional or judicial processes.

ON THE LAGOS LEADERSHIP CONTROVERSY

The Supreme Elderly Council recognises that competing claims concerning the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos have generated considerable concern among Ndigbo.

Recent public reporting has itself reflected conflicting positions regarding Chief Leonard Okafor's leadership and the authority of communications attributed to Chief Everest Ozonweke.

UNIEC consequently believes that the wisest course is not further public confrontation but documentary clarification, constitutional review and structured dialogue.

Every principal party should be given an opportunity to present its records, including electoral documents, constitutional provisions, appointment letters, official directives, resolutions and relevant court processes.

NO PERSONAL WARFARE

The Council strongly discourages language capable of humiliating, demonising or permanently alienating fellow members of the Igbo community.

Political, administrative or leadership disagreements must never become personal warfare.

Disagreement is not enmity. Competition is not hatred. Reconciliation is not surrender. Seeking clarification is not weakness. Respecting due process is not defeat.

As elders, we remind all concerned:

“A house divided by disagreement can still stand if its occupants choose wisdom before they choose destruction.”

ADR AND ELDERLY MEDIATION

UNIEC Worldwide respectfully recommends that, where legally permissible and voluntarily accepted by the principal parties, an independent Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process be considered alongside the appropriate constitutional and judicial procedures.

Such a process could provide an opportunity to:

examine the relevant constitutional and electoral documents;

identify areas of agreement and disagreement;

clarify competing claims;

address personal grievances;

establish lawful conditions for reconciliation; and

restore a single, credible and functional Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos structure.

Any such process should be neutral, transparent, evidence-based, constitutionally grounded and acceptable to the principal parties.

A WORD TO THE NATIONAL LEADERSHIP

UNIEC respectfully encourages the national leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide to approach the Lagos situation as an institutional challenge requiring statesmanship rather than factional victory.

The reported earlier reconciliation efforts in Lagos demonstrate that peaceful engagement is possible, and public accounts have previously described attempts to bridge the factions.

The objective should therefore be to preserve the integrity of Ohanaeze, not to establish which personality can prevail in the public arena.

ELDERLY COUNSEL TO ALL SIDES

UNIEC calls upon every stakeholder to lower the temperature of the controversy.

Let no one use the name of Ohanaeze to settle personal scores.

Let no individual place personal ambition above the collective interest of Ndigbo.

Let no faction treat fellow Igbo as enemies.

Let the Constitution guide the leadership.

Let authentic records establish the facts.

Let the courts determine matters properly before them.

Let dialogue address matters capable of peaceful settlement.

And let the elders help rebuild bridges where relationships have been damaged.

“The chair is temporary; the institution is enduring. Positions pass away, but the consequences of our conduct remain for generations.”

UNIEC ELDERLY PEACE FORMULA

LET THE CONSTITUTION SPEAK. LET THE LAW BE RESPECTED. LET THE RECORDS BE VERIFIED. LET EVERY PARTY BE HEARD. LET ADR BUILD BRIDGES. LET THE ELDERS COUNSEL. LET JUSTICE PREVAIL. LET RECONCILIATION HEAL THE DIVISION. LET OHA­NAEZE NDIGBO REMAIN ONE.

The Supreme Elderly Council concludes that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is greater than any individual, office, election or faction. Its preservation is a collective responsibility.

As the enduring Igbo principle teaches:

“ONYE AGHALA NWANNE YA.”

Let no one abandon his or her brother.

UNIEC Worldwide therefore appeals to all concerned to choose wisdom over bitterness, constitutional order over confusion, dialogue over confrontation, reconciliation over permanent division, and institutional preservation over personal victory.

One People. One Heritage. Many Voices. One Collective Destiny.

UNITED IGBO ELDERS COUNCIL (UNIEC) WORLDWIDE

Custodians of Heritage • Voices of Conscience • Advocates of Justice and Unity Advancing Humanity • Empowering Generations • Building a Greater Igbo Society

Issued under the Authority of the Supreme Elderly Council

His Lordship, Bishop Justice Alpha Ikpeama Director-General (D-G) United Igbo Elders Council (UNIEC) Worldwide

Institutional Position: Non-Partisan • Non-Sectarian • Constitutionally Guided • Peace-Oriented • Elder-Statesmanship Driven