Unraveling the Turmoil within Ohanaeze Ndigbo: Betrayals and the Tenure Extension Saga

Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, the authentic President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State Chapter, recently shed light on the disheartening controversies surrounding Onowu Everest Ozonweke’s involvement in the organization’s leadership. In an exclusive interview with Daily Global News, Chief Aguene unveiled shocking details of Ozonweke’s insatiable ambition and treacherous actions that have threatened to dismantle the Pan Igbo Socio-Cultural Organization while betraying past presidents.

The tumultuous journey began when Ozonweke expressed his aspiration to become the next president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, raising concerns among the members. His questionable behavior came to light, causing the immediate past president, Onwughara, to refrain from handing over leadership to Ozonweke, leading to strained relations with Chief Nnaa Nwodo, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Ozonweke’s unyielding ambition sowed the seeds of factionalism within the organization, giving rise to an opposing faction led by Odegingin. Despite disapproval from some members, Chief Aguene supported Ozonweke’s inclusion in his team, only to face numerous challenges caused by Ozonweke’s deceptive tactics and betrayals.

According to Chief Aguene, Ozonweke resorted to making false claims, name-dropping, and taking credit for introductions he didn’t make, all in a bid to boost his image and gain influence within Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Worse still, he allegedly orchestrated an attempted impeachment of Chief Aguene, collaborating with Enugu delegates to undermine his leadership.

Ozonweke’s betrayal did not stop at orchestrating an impeachment attempt; he further wrote petitions against Chief Aguene, falsely claiming that the Secretariat was deserted, and activities had stalled. These accusations led to confrontations and exacerbated the already existing disputes within Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

As Chief Aguene candidly highlighted, Ozonweke’s actions caused severe division within the organization, wasting valuable years of his tenure battling factionalism and internal strife. Seeking support, Chief Aguene turned to Governor Sanwo-Olu and mediation efforts, which eventually brought some semblance of resolution to the turmoil.

Meanwhile, amidst the turmoil, Chief Aguene found solace in a court consent judgment that extended his tenure as the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State. After 3 years and 5 months in office, Fabian Onwughara proposed a plan to unite the factions and achieve peace and amicable settlement. The idea was to allow those whose elections were nullified by Nnaa Nwodo to contest with Chief Aguene’s executives, alongside the chairmen of all local governments, in determining the new leadership.

However, the once-promising resolution took a drastic turn when Onwughara demanded a staggering 40 million Naira from Chief Aguene, threatening to collude with Ozonweke to conduct another election if the funds weren’t provided. Despite having a court consent judgment, Chief Aguene was forced to spend over 15 million Naira to defend his position in court and safeguard his leadership.

As the events unfolded, it became apparent that Ozonweke was acting as a double agent, sharing information from both sides to manipulate the situation to his advantage. He reportedly sold his land and gave the proceeds to certain individuals, believing they would help him win the election. However, he suffered defeat, yet continued to deceive Chief Aguene, feeding him misleading information to further his own ambition.

Furthermore, Ozonweke cunningly convinced Chief Aguene that Chief Iwuanyawu’s committee would extend his tenure for another two years, while secretly plotting to expose Sunday Ossia’s weaknesses and remove him from office. The grand plan was to position himself as the next President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State.

Amidst the intricacies and challenges of Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s leadership, Chief Aguene’s tenure found an extension through the court consent judgment. The complex tale of betrayals, ambition, and factionalism reflects the arduous journey the organization has faced, leaving an indelible mark on its history. As Ohanaeze Ndigbo seeks to rebuild and unite, the revelations shared by Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene serve as a reminder of the need for cohesion and integrity in the pursuit of a common vision for the Igbo people.