The United Igbo Elders Council, UNIEC, Worldwide has urged all parties involved in the leadership dispute in the Lagos State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to put the collective interest of Ndigbo above personal ambition, factional allegiance and individual interests.

UNIEC made this call in a statement titled, “Official Elderly Reaction to the Position of Concerned Members of the Global Executive Council, GEC, on Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State Leadership Matter: A Call for Unity, Constitutional Order, Reconciliation and Responsible Igbo Leadership Ahead of 2027,” signed by UNIEC Director-General, His Lordship Bishop Justice Alpha Ikpeama.

The elders acknowledged the arguments presented by the concerned GEC members, but cautioned against reaching a final conclusion on the legitimacy of any faction based solely on competing public statements. They urged stakeholders to examine the relevant constitutional documents, certified court judgments and orders, official communications of competent Ohanaeze organs, electoral records and other primary documents before arriving at any definitive position.

The statement said, “The concerned GEC members have presented a historical account involving the reported Consent Judgment, the 2025 GEC intervention, the proposed dissolution of competing factions, reconciliation efforts involving principal actors, the reported April 2026 election and their reasons for affirming Chief Leonard Okafor.”

UNIEC said it recognises the importance of these assertions and does not dismiss them, but as an elder institution, must distinguish between an institutional position, a factual assertion and a final legal determination.

The council warned that the controversy in Lagos is bigger than the state, and could become a wider crisis of confidence within Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide if not properly managed. They urged all parties to approach the matter with moderation, wisdom, fairness and historical consciousness, and work towards the restoration of “one united, credible and peaceful Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State Chapter.”

Ohanaeze is greater than any individual. It is greater than any office. It is greater than any election and it is greater than any faction.

And in this crisis, the elders reminded that leadership positions should be regarded as a trust rather than personal property, and every leader should consider the legacy being left for future generations rather than focusing solely on winning the current dispute.

Chief Leonard Okafor's emergence as President of the Lagos State chapter is a point of contention, with competing claims, reported judicial proceedings and questions surrounding electoral authority and institutional recognition.

UNIEC urged caution in the assessment of the reported election outcome, stating that it should be assessed within the complete constitutional and judicial framework. The council said if the election is established through the appropriate records as having been conducted under lawful authority and in accordance with the applicable constitutional provisions, then every stakeholder should respect the legitimate outcome.

However, where legal questions remain unresolved before a competent court or constitutional authority, the council urged the parties to allow lawful processes to determine them rather than resorting to public confrontation.

The controversy surrounding the purported office of “Coordinator” should equally be resolved through constitutional and judicial processes, the elders said.

UNIEC Worldwide has 25,000 members worldwide, with a presence in over 60 countries. The council is made up of Igbo leaders from all walks of life, including traditional rulers, clergy, politicians and business leaders.

The elders' call for unity is coming at a time when the Ohanaeze Lagos crisis has reached a boiling point, with some members calling for the dissolution of the Lagos State chapter.

The Lagos State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is one of the most critical components of the institution, with a large membership and significant influence in the state.

The crisis in Lagos has been ongoing for several months, with different factions vying for control of the chapter.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has 25,000 members worldwide, with a presence in over 60 countries.

UNIEC Worldwide has 10,000 members in Nigeria alone, with a presence in all 36 states.

The elders' call for unity and reconciliation is expected to be met with mixed reactions from the various factions vying for control of the Lagos State chapter.

It remains to be seen if the elders' efforts will be successful in resolving the crisis and restoring peace to the institution.