We have read with amusement and disappointment the purported press statement issued by Mike Orji, in which he described the forthcoming General Assembly Meeting of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State scheduled for 15th August 2026 as “illegal, unconstitutional, null and void.”

We consider the statement nothing more than an attempt to mislead Ndi-Igbo, create unnecessary confusion and prevent members of the Ohanaeze from exercising their legitimate rights.

The most important question Mike Orji must answer is simple:

WHO ELECTED MIKE ORJI AS SECRETARY OF OHANAEZE NDIGBO LAGOS STATE?

Rather than making sweeping declarations about illegality, Mike Orji should tell Ndi-Igbo in Lagos the election, date, venue and electoral process through which he emerged as Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.

Who conducted the election?

Who supervised it?

Who were the accredited delegates?

Where are the electoral records?

Who handed over the office to him?

Until these questions are answered, Mike Orji cannot simply wake up one morning, declare himself Secretary and expect Ndi-Igbo to accept the claim as established fact.

WHICH OHANAEZE NDIGBO LAGOS STATE IS MIKE ORJI REPRESENTING?

This is another fundamental question.

If Mike Orji and Leonard Okoafor are truly the recognized leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, why has the Global Executive Council of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide not recognized them?

Why are they presenting themselves as the legitimate leadership when their purported mandate remains seriously contested?

The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State cannot be determined by self-appointment, press statements or repeated claims. It must be founded on a valid mandate, constitutional procedure and recognition within the appropriate structure of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

THE COURT HAS NOT GIVEN MIKE ORJI THE MANDATE HE CLAIMS

Mike Orji should also stop pretending that the ongoing legal dispute has been conclusively determined in his favour.

There is an existing matter before the Yaba High Court, where an order preserving the status quo ante bellum has been made.

That order cannot simply be wished away through newspaper statements, social-media publications or self-serving declarations.

Until the court gives its pronouncement on the substantive issues before it, nobody should arrogate to himself powers that the court has not granted him.

By the position being relied upon in the pending litigation, I Chief Robert Obasi remains the authentic Secretary pending the determination of the matter before the court.

Therefore, the attempt to declare Chief Robert Obasi “expired,” “illegal” or without authority is not only premature but also an apparent attempt to prejudge a matter that remains before the judiciary.

THE REAL QUESTION: WHY ARE THEY AFRAID OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

If Mike Orji and Leonard Okafor are genuinely confident that they enjoy the overwhelming support of Ndi-Igbo in Lagos, why are they so desperate to prevent members from attending a General Assembly Meeting?

Why are they issuing threats and directives against members?

Why are they attempting to determine who should attend and who should not attend?

A genuine leadership does not fear the gathering of its people.

A legitimate leadership should welcome a General Assembly where issues can be discussed openly, transparently and democratically.

The desperation to stop the 15th August 2026 General Assembly Meeting raises more questions than it answers.

NDIGBO ARE TOO WISE TO BE DECEIVED

Ndi-Igbo in Lagos are intelligent, discerning and politically conscious.

They cannot be deceived indefinitely by repeatedly telling them that an election has been conducted when the fundamental questions surrounding the alleged election remain unanswered.

For months, we have heard claims that an election was conducted.

Where are the electoral documents?

Where is the authentic delegate list?

Where is the result?

Who supervised the process?

What constitutional provisions were followed?

Who were the recognized electoral officers?

These are legitimate questions which the proponents of the purported election must answer instead of resorting to insults and threats.

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS NOT ILLEGAL

Let it be clearly stated: the General Assembly Meeting scheduled for 15th August 2026 is not illegal.

I Chief Robert Obasi, as the elected Secretary whose tenure and status are currently subject to an ongoing legal dispute, has constitutional grounds upon which to convene the General Assembly, particularly in the context of the subsisting court order preserving the status quo.

Those who disagree with the meeting are free to challenge it through the appropriate constitutional and legal channels. They should not attempt to intimidate members or unlawfully prevent them from attending.

WHO IS REALLY AN OUTSIDER?

Mike Orji alleges that Chief Everest Ozonweke and Prince Ubochi are “outsiders.”

That accusation is another attempt to distract Ndi-Igbo from the central issue.

The question is not who shouts the loudest.

The question is who has a legitimate constitutional mandate and recognition within the wider structure of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

The Global Executive Council under the leadership of President General, Senator Azuta Mbata, has its own structures and processes for recognizing state chapters and their leadership.

Those who have not received the necessary recognition cannot manufacture legitimacy by simply issuing press statements.

MIKE ORJI SHOULD CONCENTRATE ON ANSWERING HIS OWN QUESTIONS

Mike Orji should stop presenting himself as though his position is beyond question.

Before attacking others, he should answer Ndi-Igbo:

What election brought you into the office of Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State?

Who elected you?

Who conducted the election?

Who were the delegates?

Where are the electoral records?

Until these questions are satisfactorily answered, his repeated claim to the office remains a matter of serious contention.

It is particularly ironic that someone who, during his tenure as Ikeja Local Government Chairman according to members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Ikeja , was accused of failing to effectively convene and sustain the meetings expected of his local structure, now appears so concerned about preventing a General Assembly of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.

NDIGBO WILL NOT BE MANIPULATED

The era when people could simply impose themselves on Ndi-Igbo through propaganda is over.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State belongs to Ndi-Igbo. It does not belong to Mike Orji, Leo Okafor, , or any individual.

Ohanaeze must be governed by its Constitution, lawful decisions, valid mandates and the recognized structures of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

The current attempt to create confusion will not succeed.

A CALL TO ALL NDIGBO IN LAGOS

We therefore call on all legitimate members, stakeholders, state elected executives, local government executives, women leaders, youth leaders, town unions and other recognized affiliates of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State to remain calm and law-abiding.

We urge them to ignore the intimidation and misinformation being circulated by those who are afraid of an open General Assembly.

Come out en masse on 15th August 2026.

Attend the General Assembly.

Listen to the issues.

Ask questions.

Demand accountability.

Let the truth prevail.

Let the legitimate structures of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide determine the future of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.

THE FINAL MESSAGE

Mike Orji and Leo Okafor may continue to issue statements and hold meetings under whatever description they choose.

But no amount of propaganda can replace a legitimate mandate.

No amount of intimidation can stop Ndi-Igbo from demanding transparency.

No amount of name-calling can erase a subsisting court order.

And no individual can permanently hijack the affairs of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.

On 15th August 2026, the legitimate stakeholders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State will gather for their General Assembly.

We remain committed to truth, constitutionalism, due process and the unity of Ndi-Igbo.

Illegality cannot become legality simply because it is repeated.

A stolen mandate cannot become legitimate through propaganda.

The voice of Ndi-Igbo must prevail.

God bless Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.

Chief Robert Obasi FNIS, FCIPS
Secretary-General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State.