LET'S WORK TOGETHER, OYO IGBO TRADITIONAL LEADER SAYS AFTER COURT RULING ON 28 YEAR LEADERSHIP CRISIS. (PHOTO).

 Let’s Work Together, Oyo Igbo Traditional Leader Says After Court Ruling On 28 Year Leadership Crisis

The traditional leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in Oyo State, Alloy Obi, has urged members of the Igbo community in the state to come together in line with the spirit of togetherness for enduring peace. 

Onyendu Ndigbo, as his title reads, made this call at a press conference held in Ibadan to mark the judgement of the appeal court which affirmed him as the rightful holder of the title, putting an end to the society’s leadership crisis which started on May 17, 1996, exactly 28 years ago. 

Speaking on the ruling of the court, he explained that his commitment to the cause was driven by his selfless commitment to the Ndigbo community. “My victory at the Court of Appeal is not just for me as a person, the Appeal Court case lasted for ten years. I would have given up if it were just about me as a person. I remained in the struggle in the last ten years because of the implication on Ohanaeze Ndigbo worldwide, South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Igbo extraction all over the world.

“Going down memory lane, the case started 28years ago, exactly May 17th 1996 when I joined. Despite my stand against injustice, I tried everything possible to avoid crisis but unfortunately those who thought that they would benefit from it refused to heed the intervention spearheaded by Chief Onyemaizu result of the 15 member committee set up by Late Col Ike Nwosu. Also there were various interventions initiated most especially by the leadership of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers in conjunction with the Ohanaeze Worldwide but all these were all rebuffed.

“Today the ruling of the Court of Appeal has fully restored the authority of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and South East Council of Traditional Rulers as parent bodies to regulate the activities of Ndigbo and Igbo Organization Worldwide,” he said. 

He then called on those who are still in opposition to sheath their sword for it is time for enduring peace and togetherness among Noigho in Oyo State, noting that he will be a good and impartial father to Ndigbo and Igbo groups in Oyo State.

“I also call on the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Oyo State to put together a sovereign Igbo conference in Oyo State to chat a road map and blue print for a true unity and progress of Ndigbo in Oyo State. On my part, I would work with the leadership of Ohanaeze in the state to put in place a committee that would see to the reconciliation of all parties in the overall interest of the Igbos in Ibadanland and Oyo State in general. 

“Finally, to the members of the Igbo General Assembly who conferred on me as their leader, I promise that I would not disappoint them. I would also want to thank the Executive Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, for the good work he is doing in the state most especially the peace that is reigning,” he added.