The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide has issued a strong warning to the Uchenna Madu-led faction of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), urging wit to desist from meddling in the internal affairs of Ohanaeze leadership, particularly in Lagos State.

This comes in response to a recent statement by MASSOB in which it endorsed Chief Senator John Azuta Mbata as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene as the President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lagos State.

Reacting to the development, the National President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, described the endorsement as laughable and out of place, insisting that MASSOB under Uchenna Madu has abandoned its original pro-Biafra agenda in pursuit of ulterior political motives.

“It is strange and unfortunate that a secessionist group that claims to be fighting for Biafra is now dabbling into Ohanaeze’s leadership structure,” Okwu stated. “Uchenna Madu is clearly working for his paymasters. His pronouncement carries no weight and should be disregarded by the public.”

Okwu maintained that Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene’s tenure as Lagos State President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo had long expired and accused him of seeking validation through questionable endorsements.

“We are well aware that this so-called endorsement was procured in a desperate attempt to gain false legitimacy. But it is dead on arrival,” Okwu said firmly.

He accused Aguene of attempting to perpetuate himself in office against the will of the people, warning that Ohanaeze Ndigbo will not allow its structures to be hijacked or commercialized.

“Ndigbo in Lagos cannot be cowed by an acclaimed consent judgment sought by a man desperate to hold onto power. You have begged past leaders for validation and failed. Now, you’re paying for a token endorsement from a faction of MASSOB. It won’t work,” he added.

The Youth Council further warned MASSOB to focus on its original cause or find a new purpose rather than turning the revered Igbo socio-cultural organization into a pawn for political manipulation.

Okwu reaffirmed that Chief Jackson Omenazu remains the legitimate President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and warned that the youth wing will resist any attempts to impose illegitimate leaders on Ndigbo, particularly in Lagos.

“We will not stand by and allow outsiders and impostors to hijack Ohanaeze leadership. At the appropriate time, those collaborating with enemies of Ndigbo will be unmasked,” Okwu concluded.