Press Release: LAGOS SPEAKERSHIP CRISIS IS THE NEW VERSION OF 1965 AKINTOLA-AWOLOWO RIVALRY: NEMESIS HAS CAUGHT UP WITH IGBO PERSECUTORS – BE NEUTRAL;  OHANAEZE WARNS IGBOS

The Apex Igbo Sociocultural Organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, feels compelled to address the escalating crisis within the Lagos State House of Assembly, which bears a striking resemblance to the turbulent events of 1965 known as Operation Wetie—a historical episode rooted in the conflict between the political titans, Chief Samuel Akintola and Chief Obafemi Awolowo. In light of this historical context, we must urgently implore all Igbo residents and communities in Lagos State to adopt a posture of strict neutrality in the current political fray.

The unfolding conflict, highlighted by the recent imbroglio between Impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa and the newly installed Speaker Mojisola Meranda, is nothing less than a fierce struggle for critical resources, including Value Added Tax (VAT), local taxation, and real estate revenues. Ohanaeze Ndigbo posits that this power tussle is fundamentally a byproduct of rampant political maneuvering, occurring against a backdrop of systemic persecution and marginalization of our communities—an issue that has persisted since 2023.

Our organization has persistently reached out to the impeached Speaker Obasa, advocating for the protection of Igbo populated markets and properties, only to be met with an unyielding silence that accentuates the dire nature of our plight. Today, we are aware, through meticulous intelligence gathering, of attempts to coerce Igbo communities into taking sides in this internecine struggle. This represents a clear and present danger and necessitates a categorical warning to all Igbo individuals in Lagos: abstain from involvement in this political turmoil and maintain a steadfast position of neutrality.

To engage in the pursuit of support for any faction is to unwittingly become an instrument in a broader scheme designed to exacerbate ethnic tensions and deepen societal divisions. Ohanaeze Ndigbo urges all political actors to heed the cautionary tales embedded in our history. The political unrest from 1961 to 1965, marked by the fierce rivalry of Akintola and Awolowo, culminated in catastrophic outcomes that this nation must never again endure. Such a divisive climate led to chaos so profound that it has been memorialized in the infamous phrase, “The Wild, Wild West.”

In this grave juncture, it warrants reiterating that Nigeria’s democratic foundations are currently in jeopardy. We implore every Nigerian, particularly those with a commitment to democratic principles, to vigilantly prevent the Lagos Speakership crisis from degenerating into the cataclysmic events reflective of the 1965 political turmoil. The political deadlock and impasse that characterized that period resulted in a disintegration of governance that ultimately led to Nigeria’s first coup in 1966.

The recent events of February 17, 2025, when the Department of State Services (DSS), police, and other security personnel cordoned off the Lagos House of Assembly at the bidding of Acting Clerk A.T.B. Ottun, signify an alarming return to an era of political strife reminiscent of 1965. This situation starkly underscores the necessity for vigilance and strategic prudence.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo issues a fervent and unequivocal warning: Igbo communities must remain neutral, lest they be ensnared as sacrificial lambs and scapegoats in the burgeoning political crisis enveloping the Lagos State House of Assembly. The stakes are far too high, and history has demonstrated that becoming embroiled in such rivalries only leads to suffering and marginalization.

In summation, let us embody wisdom and restraint in navigating these perilous waters. The lessons of history demand that we rise above factionalism and stand united. Together, we can ensure that our communities remain resilient, unswayed by the turbulence of political ambitions that do not serve our collective interests.

Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro
Deputy President General
Ohanaeze Ndigbo