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“…says election will go on tomorrow in Lagos”
By: Okosun Dennis
A huge conflagration might erupt among the high ranking officers of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos, if the proposed election of executives holds as slated on Monday, 6th April, 2026.
This is so because despite a subsisting court order restraining all the factional parties to maintain the status quo, the group led by Mr. Solomon Ogbonna has vowed to conduct the election.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has been enmeshed in leadership squabbles for sometimes, which has galvanized into, protracted litigation that is dragging the respected socio-cultural group into counter-court injunctions that is making things to fall apart.
In the Court order from the Lagos State High Court, Chief Solomon Aguene and Chief Gabby Oseke were restrained from conducting Ohanaeze Ndigbo election, which has been fixed to take place on Monday, 6th April, 2026, at Enugu-Ukwu Hall, Amuwo- Odofin, Lagos state.
The order by the Presiding Judge, Justice M.M. Balogun, on 31st March, 2026, ordered all the contending parties in the suit number: YSD/96800CM/2025 to maintain status quo. By extension, every action designed to take place were put on hold.
However, in a desperate move to galvanize peace, progress and foster cordial relationship among Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos state, the recognised faction led by the Acting President of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Lagos State, High Chief Linus Igbudu, who doubles as the Vice President for Enugu state, had on the 24th February, 2026 in Lagos called for a truce with a view to addressing some internal wranglings in the group.
It was learnt that the lingering leadership tussle confronting the association, started during the Executive Committee of 2022/2026 and other stakeholders, initiated by the former President Solomon Ogbonna.
It was learnt that Chief Solomon Ogbonna, was impeached by the
General Assembly of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos, following the outcome of the general assembly meeting that was held at Calabar hall, Surulere Lagos after he tried to enlongate his stay in office.
As a result, Chief Solomon Ogbonna does not have the loco standi to constitute an electoral committee to conduct an election as he remains impeached as the President.
However, when Mr. Solomon Ogbonna, the impeached President, Ohanaeze Ndigbo was contacted, said his tenure of office will expire on the 8th April, 2026. Paradoxically, he disassociated himself from those conducting the election, claiming that he had inaugurated the Electoral Committee on the 29th March, 2026 to conduct the election.
He averred that before their “Court Injunction, ” he had secured a “Consent judgment” on the 12th April, 2022 issued by Justice L.A.M Folami of Ikeja High Court; which, he claimed, is “higher than court injunction.”
Therefore, he asserted that the court order he obtained was superior to the injunction they are parading about to intimidate his group not to conduct the election.
Meanwhile, the Secretary General, Chief Robert Obasi, one of the claimants, maintained that it would amount to an infraction, a deliberate act to disrespect a high court order considering that securing an injunction ought to lead to the suspension of the election.
He added that any attempt to go ahead with the election, will not only be an “illegality but a contempt of court.”
Justifying his position why the court cannot stop the election, Solomon further explained that his tenure will elapse on the 8th of April, and as such, he had already inaugurated the electoral committee on 29th of last month to conduct election and as such, insulated with the conduct.
“They brought their own injunction on 31st of March, which is inferior. It came after the inauguration of the electoral committee, which makes theirs invalid and not practicable.
When questioned that his action could be tantamount to contempt of Court by ordering the electoral committee which he inaugurated to conduct an election, he defended his action thus: “The electoral committee is independent.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo, as a people, are the one conducting the election. So, if they want to sue, they are going to sue the Electoral Committee or people who will conduct election, which is a neutral umpire, not me. I am completely a former president from that 29th of last month,” Solomon Ogbonna reiterated.
On his part, a former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Oliver Akubueze, who spoke to our correspondent on phone, said the election will go on as planned.
He explained that the conduct of the election falls within the legal status of the “Consent Judgment” as no form of violation will be committed due to the court injunction.
“It is a well planned event, legal and according to our tradition. On Monday, we are having our election. We are maintaining the status quo as Mr. Solomon is no longer the President. When I was the President in 2009 to 2013, we had similar thing. After the inauguration of the electoral committee, they conducted the election.”
However, attempt to get the view of one of the candidates contesting for the post of the President, Leo Okafor (Oba Ojoto), was truncated as he told our correspondent to call back in 30 minutes, claiming he was in a meetings.
Hours later, when a call went to him, he said, “I am attending a crucial meeting. I will call you when I am through.”
Similarly, adding his voice, Chief Sunday Ossai, one of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo chieftain, said “Everything is going on well. The election will hold as peace has returned in Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The election will hold at Enugu-Ukwu Hall by Apple Junction by 8am.
“Some people are trying hard to scuttle the election for reason best known to them. Such people shouldn’t be listened to, ” he averred.
However, the Chairman, Idimu LCDA, a chieftain too, Chief Onodu Ugo, declined to speak, requesting to see the journalist physically.
When contacted, one of the Electoral Committee member that is saddled with the responsibility to conduct the “illegal election” as claimed by the claimant to the suit, Mr. Mike Kelechi explained, “There is no faction any longer in Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State considering that the two factional Presidents (Chief Sunday Ossai and Chief Solomon Ogbonna) have made peace for the interest and progress of Ndigbo in Lagos State.
He denied being aware of any court Injunction. “I am not aware of any court injunction and haven’t seen any.”
Chief Robert Obasi, in reliance on the subsisting injunction and in strict compliance with the binding order of the court, unequivocally maintained that the proposed election scheduled for tomorrow must not proceed under any circumstances. Any attempt to conduct the election in defiance of the said order would constitute a willful and contumacious violation of a valid court directive, amounting to contempt of court. Such deliberate disobedience not only undermines the authority and integrity of the judiciary but also exposes all parties involved to severe legal consequences, including sanctions as prescribed by law.
Therefore, if the electoral committee, goes ahead to conduct the election, such action cannot hold water on this circumstance.
Meanwhile, the next sitting is 24th April, for continuation of hearing on the suit between Robert Obasi and Everestus Ozonweke for themselves and on behalf of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State versus Solomon Ogbonna and Gabby Oseke, as contained in the enrollment order of the Court signed by the Legal Registrar, Abiola Adewuyi.
