Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Rejects Leo Okafor’s Leadership, Urges Calm

A leadership dispute within the Igbo socio-cultural organisation in Lagos deepened on Thursday as Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State and Ndi Ndu Ndigbo Lagos State jointly rejected the authority of Chief Leo Okeafor, insisting he is not the recognised president of the group in the state.

The position was made known in a public communiqué issued after a joint meeting held on May 21, 2026, in Festac Town, Lagos.

According to the communiqué signed by the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State, Chief Robert Obasi, members were briefed on the ongoing leadership challenges affecting the organisation and the official stance of the state chapter.

The meeting reportedly reviewed previous engagements involving Chief Leo Okafor, with the groups accusing him of failing to honour agreements reached with Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.

Both organisations also rejected the inauguration of an Elders Council allegedly conducted by Okeafor, describing the process as illegitimate.

The communiqué stressed that any decisions, structures, or outcomes linked to what it described as a past leadership operating outside the mandate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State would not be recognised.

Ndi Ndu Ndigbo, Lagos State, however, assured members that justice would prevail and pledged to examine the matter directly in line with the constitution and established procedures of the organisation.

The groups further appealed to Igbo residents in Lagos to remain peaceful, uphold the dignity of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and avoid associating with what they termed “illegitimate structures.”

They reaffirmed that due process and the constitution of Ohanaeze Ndigbo remain supreme in resolving the dispute.