Felix Mbata, Lagos state
At the 4th Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos General Assembly Meeting, September edition, held at FHA Field, Festac Town and hosted by the President, High Chief Leonard Okafor (Oba Ojoto), Ndigbo came out in large numbers in celebration of unity and progress.
Speaking with The Unique Model Magazine, Chief Onyemaechi Ik Ochiagha, the Ochiagha Chi of Mbaukwu Ihitte Ezinihitte LG of Imo state, Mbaise and a strong stakeholder of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, said Ndigbo have every reason to stand firmly with the All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to him, the benefits Ndigbo have received under APC in Lagos are visible and unprecedented. These include the emergence of Hon. Mrs. Maureen Asara as Vice Chairman of Amuwo Odofin Local Government, the appointment of Igbo technocrats like former Commissioner Hon. Ben Akabueze who was elevated to the federal level, and the political upliftment of Hon. Joe Igbokwe and many other Igbo sons and daughters.
He also cited the empowerment of Igbo coordinators in Ikeja with the Renewed Hope bus facilitated by Rt. Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, the allocation of the ‘Super’ councillorship slot to Ndigbo in Oriade LCDA, and the inclusion of Igbo representatives in APC campaign structures across Lagos, where he himself represents the South East.
Chief Ochiagha stressed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains a detribalised leader with listening ears who has continued to recognise and transform the lives of Ndigbo and others, noting that loyalty to APC is loyalty to progress.
Q: As a distinguished personality at today’s meeting, can you introduce yourself to The Unique Model Magazine?
A: Thank you very much, you are welcome. We are here for the fourth meeting of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Lagos State under the leadership of our amiable president, High Chief Leonard Okafor, to celebrate the good things happening in Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos. You can see for yourself that everybody is happy. l am Chief Onyemaechi Ik Ochiagha, the Ochiagha Chi of Mbaukwu Ihitte Ezinihitte LG of Imo state, Mbaise. I am one of the strong stakeholders of Ohanaeze in Amuwo Odofin, Lagos.
Q: What does Ohanaeze Ndigbo mean to you?
A: Ohanaeze is like Afenifere in Yoruba land. It is not political, it is the apex socio-cultural organization. In Ohanaeze, every four years we hold elections to bring in a new person and there is no second term. This time around we have selected High Chief Leonard Okafor, Oba Ojoto, and nobody can change him. I have advised him not to be distracted. Lagos State is an APC state, anything outside APC I am not part of it. That is why I am close to Chief Leonard Okafor to guide him.
Q: Other political parties come to Ohanaeze meetings to seek Ndigbo votes. What is your advice?
A: They have the right to come and introduce themselves, and we will welcome anybody. But we should consider the benefits we have received from APC in Amuwo Odofin. You cannot have a vice chairman produced by a party and work against that party. We cannot enjoy all these benefits and work against the party.
Q: Are you advising Ndigbo in Festac and Lagos State to vote APC at all levels?
A: Of course, yes! Yes! Yes! President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has always recognised Ndigbo. President Tinubu is a detribalised leader with listening ears, transforming Nigeria. He encouraged the constituents to vote massively for Moses Olarenwaju for the Rep who he considers as ‘IYAYI’ OF AMUWO, Olawestern and Hon. Wale Rauf for LAHA for 1 and 2 constituencies. Considering Festac people as elite voters. He advised Oriade people to come out en-mass to vote for all the APC candidates from up to down to make the difference.
Q: On what criteria do you say Chief Leonard Okafor is leading well?
A: Look at when Chief Leonard Okafor was chairman of Alaba International Market, he did marvellous work. He expanded the market. As president of Ohanaeze, he said instead of hosting meetings only in Surulere, let us rotate among local governments to the grassroots. This is the fourth meeting since he assumed leadership. Next month we are going to Eti-Osa.
Q: It is alleged that some Igbo groups are working against his leadership. What is your advice to them?
A: It is expected, we know them well. Chief Leonard Okafor is doing great things to improve Ohanaeze. Now he is introducing insurance policy and other welfare programmes for Ndigbo. He personally provided 50 percent of what we are enjoying today. How many Igbo leaders can do this? He is a man of integrity and credibility and I stand with him.
Q: What plans are there to nurture youths to take over from the elders?
A: That is why we have youth leaders. We believe in succession. As we are getting older, they are coming up. The youths are here, they are firm, learning from us and working with us. The youths will do better than us because of the internet facilities available now.
Q: Your final advice to Ndigbo in Lagos and Nigeria on voting?
A: Ndigbo should support and vote for APC. I have been talking to Igbo leaders, youths and market leaders that APC is the only political party that can save Nigeria. Let us come out en masse to vote for APC at all levels come 2027.
Conclusively, Chief Ochiagha reiterated his passionate call on Ndigbo in Lagos and across Nigeria to remain united behind the leadership of High Chief Leonard Okafor and to vote en masse for APC at all levels in 2027, from the Presidency to the House of Assembly.”
APC is the only political party that can save Nigeria. We have benefited, we are benefiting, and we will continue to benefit. Let Ndigbo come together and make the difference,” he declared.