By Chika Kwamba
The Apex Association of Anioma Indigenes Inc. has called for urgent steps to address what it described as a long-standing imbalance in the leadership structure of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter.
The group warned that the continued exclusion of Anioma people from leadership positions undermines the principles of fairness, unity, and brotherhood.
In a statement issued in Lagos, the President-General of the association, Apst. Patrick Nwanze, JP (Agu-Anioma), said the time had come for the Igbo socio-cultural body in Lagos to demonstrate a genuine commitment to inclusiveness by ensuring that all Igbo-speaking communities are fairly represented in its leadership.
According to him, leadership of the Lagos chapter has historically rotated among a limited number of states, Imo, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi, and Enugu, while Delta State, home to the Anioma people, has largely remained outside the leadership structure despite its significant contributions to the growth and stability of the organization.
“True unity cannot exist where participation in leadership is restricted to a few while others are expected to remain permanent spectators.
The Anioma leader emphasized that the people of Anioma have consistently demonstrated loyalty to the Igbo cause in Lagos and across Nigeria, citing the successful Anioma Heritage Day Celebration in 2025 as evidence of their cultural vibrancy, organizational strength, and commitment to the collective identity of Ndigbo.
Nwanze also recalled the sacrifices made by Anioma communities during the Nigerian Civil War, when several communities stood firmly with their Igbo kinsmen during one of the most difficult periods in Igbo history.
He continued, “The history of the Igbo nation cannot be complete without acknowledging the sacrifices made by Anioma sons and daughters during those difficult years. Entire communities paid dearly in defense of their brothers. Such shared history demands recognition and inclusion,” he said.
He further addressed the internal tensions currently affecting the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter following the consent judgment linked to Chief Solomon Ogbonna, cautioning against any attempt to use the situation to further sideline Anioma interests.
According to him, if fairness and balance are to guide the affairs of the organization, the principle of order must also be respected. He noted that even by the alphabetical arrangement of states, Delta State comes before Enugu State, suggesting that such natural order should not be ignored when considering leadership rotation.
The president general stressed that Anioma is not seeking preferential treatment but rather a fair opportunity consistent with the long-standing tradition of rotational leadership within Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
He warned that the continued exclusion of Anioma people from leadership positions could create unnecessary tensions within the wider Igbo community and weaken the credibility of institutions that claim to represent all Igbo-speaking people.
The association therefore urged the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Chapter and other stakeholders within the Igbo community to take deliberate and transparent steps toward correcting the imbalance and strengthening unity among all Igbo-speaking communities.
Invoking Igbo traditional wisdom, Nwanze reminded the community that true brotherhood is tested during moments of sharing and decision-making.
He concluded by reaffirming the commitment of Anioma people to the unity of Ndigbo and expressed confidence that justice, fairness, and brotherhood would ultimately prevail.
