Amuwo Odofin LGA Vice Chairman, Hon. Ashara Maureen Chika, Commend Oriade Igbo Elders Inter – Ethnic Peace Initiative, Solicit Ndigbo’s Bulk Votes For APC

The Vice Chair Person , Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, Hon.Mrs.Ashara Maureen Chika, has paid a glowing tribute to the on going Inter – Ethnic Peaceful Co- existence initiative by Igbo Elders resident in Oriade LCDA in Lagos State.

The peace advocacy , brain child and vision of Eze Ndigbo of Oriade LCDA, Eze Chimereze Emmanuel Chukwuakalika Madu , was kick Started last May 30, 2026, to forestall another fatal ethnic crisis on , before and after 2027 elections.

News Planet International reports that the peace forum follows  existing frictions , mis – trust and toxic ethnic relationship  presently perceived to be existing between Igbo residents , other ethnic Nationalities with the host Community in Lagos state.

Speaking as the Special guest of honor, Mrs. Ashara , who is at present ,the most senior high ranking Person of Igbo extraction in all levels of Lagos State governments, expressed her support and commendation for the peace project.

Hon. Ashara who said she was happy that Ndigbo in Oriade LCDA have resolved to support and deliver massive votes to the All Progressive Party, APC ,in the forth coming election,re – echoed popular Igbo Wise saying that “Ebe Onye bi, ka ona awachi”, meaning that “wherever one resides , is the place he  or she protects”.

She expressed concerns over seemingly mistrust and frictions between Ndigbo and the host Community and called for tolerance and improved harmonious relationship.

Ashara ,advised Ndigbo in Oriade, by extension Lagos State, to unite and co- habitate peacefully with the host Community, especially as Igbo have massive investments in Lagos 

Responding, High Chief Victor Nnotum, who is the Chairman of Obi Eze Council of Chiefs in Oriade LCDA, appreciated Hon. Ashara and announced planned road show by the Elders forum to sensitize all Igbos and none Igbo ,to live in peace and stop bitterness and ranchor.

According to Chief Nnotum,”their is no alternative to peaceful Coexistence, hence the Forum have resolved to embrace peace with the host Community”.

Speaking, the Peace Forum Initiator, Eze Emmanuel Chukwu Akalika Madu, commended Amuwo Odofin Vice Chair Person , but regretted that the 2023 general election brought bad blood and ill feelings amongst ethnic Nationalities.

Eze Oriade LCDA,who said that Igbos in Lagos will vote APC candidates to avoid election induced crisis, recalled how some Igbos lost their fortunes and lives during the upheaval that followed  late MKO Abiola’s election .

Contributing his opinion, the former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State,Chief Barrister Fabian Onwuhalu, said that the National Alliance for Peace,NAP, program ,has come to bridge the relationship gap between Ndigbo and the host Community .

The Human Right Lawyer cum activist, revealed that the relationship between Ndigbo and the host Community in Oriade LCDA, has been Frosty and not rosy since after the 2023 election, as both are living like cats and rats, hence the need to restore normalcy.

Onwuhalu , who advised Ndigbo in Oriade LCDA to imbibe discipline, respect the culture of host Community and harness the political aspirations of the host Community ,but with assurance from the host Community to protect the investments of Ndigbo in Lagos.

In his own contributions, the President General of Igbodum Multi Cultural Association and Chief of Staff to Obi Eze in Oriade LCDA,Amb.Prince Chuks Celestine Emechebe , expressed disappointment with some Yorubas who he said are heating up the polity and are anti peaceful Coexistence.

Prince Emechebe who is a chieftain of APC ,noted that while Ndigbo are seriously campaigning for Tinubu’s re- election, some myopic host Community members are busy brewing crisis and breeding hate speeches. He however appealed to President Tinubu to caution the excesses of some unpatriotic Yorubas , like the Police man in viral video who he said was threatening Igbos.

He therefore advised Ndigbo to continue to endure the unbearable and unwarranted attacks until lasting peace is achieved.

Obi Ndigbo of Oriade LCDA, Chief Chuks Obijiaku,who Collaborated the position of other Elders Forum members, confirmed that they have resolved to vote candidates of the host Community ,so as to protect the massive investments of Ndigbo in Oriade LCDA.

The Deputy President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State, Nze Edwin Egboka, commended the Forum major agenda plan to unite Ndigbo in Lagos, which he said is the most important thing.

Nze Egboka therefore advised Ndigbo to stay united and ensue that they obtain their PVC and key to the larger plot of collaborating with the host Community.

It would be recalled that Oriade Elders who are 60 years and above,had some Saturday past, May 30th, 2026,to be precise ,converged at the palace of Eze Chimereze, Emmanuel Chukwuakalika Madu of Oriade ,to anchor and kick start an all inclusive peace conference on peaceful coexistence amongst all ethnic nationalities in the area .

Gathering under the auspices of “Eze Ndigbo Oriade Peace Initiative and Elders Consultative Forum” , which was convened in collaboration with the National Alliance For Peace, the group said they are out to seek for the panacea to enable them restore the Pre – 2023 elections era  peaceful co-existence that hitherto existed amongst all the Ethnic Nationalities within the area and to a large extent ,Lagos State in general.

Numbering about 30 residents in attendance at the first meeting,the grey hair elders during their interactions agreed that there is great need to imbibe the spirit of brotherhood , peace and  togetherness for a peaceful co-existence amongst the ethnic Nationalities in the area.

Speaking about his vision, Eze Chimereze said it became imperative that elders in Oriade should start peace consultation in Oriade before the next general election in 2027, to avoid a repeat of the 2023 election crisis .

Explaining further the imperativeness of peace in Oriade, he insisted that all residents and ethnic nationalities, must jaw jaw on peace to avoid the ugly incidents of 2023 election

Calling for Peaceful co- habitation ,Eze Chukwuakalikamadu  ,rolled out the groups peace plan, which he said, is billed to be held in three phases, the last phase is expected to bring together all ethnic nationalities in the area ,on a peaceful engagement with the host community .

Notable Igbo Leaders at the inaugural meeting , were the former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Barrister Fabian Onwughalu , President of National Alliance For Peace , Nze Dr. Okolie Amaechi Sadiq ,Chairman Obieze  Palace Oriade LCDA, Chief Victor Nnotum and others .

They opined that there is need to avoid ethnic crisis, by applying wisdom to achieve peaceful co existence , so as to avoid a repeat of the 2023 crisis that engulfed the general elections in Lagos 

While buttressing his points, Eze Oriade ,cited hospital blood transfusion cases as  instances to show that all the Ethnic nationalities are one family before God.

According to him, patience on hospital emergencies do not query which ethnic group owns the blood they are being transfused with ,from the blood bank ,” it  could Igbo , Hausa , Yoruba, Efik, Tiv, Idoma, Chinese ,because all human race are one blood from God,through Abraham , Adam and Eve, so people  need to stop hate, animosity, bitterness and rancour against each others”, he educated.

 Enjoining Igbo leaders in other local government Areas to emulate and commence such peace initiatives, Eze Chimereze , prayed that peace, wisdom and understanding should reign in Oriade LCDA.

He encouraged other Ndiezes  to work as Bridge builders between Ndigbo and host community Traditional leaders like Obas, through such interactions 

He Praised the host community for the hitherto understanding that had existed in Lagos between Igbos and Yorubas , but regretted that the last 2023 election destroyed the fabrics of the long  existing peace between Ndigbo and host community 

Speaking on the issues concerning freedom, he opined that “constitutionally, Citizens have the right to belong to any political party of their choice “,he however  regretted that Constitutional  democracy is not practiced in Nigeria ,but rather it is ethnicity and religious bigotry that is the mantra that reigns supreme .

He recalled that this his peace mission has been his vision since his coronation and his first Ofala as Eze Ndigbo Oriade on November 16, 2024

Eze Chimereze  bemoaned the era of intimidation, hatred , arson, were Igbo people were killed,lives were lost , buildings and investments were destroyed during the 2023 general elections.

Hence to change the narratives holistically, he initiated the peace forum ,which  started first with brotherly interactions amongst elderly Igbo residents , before the next  all inclusive inter ethnic Nationalities conference .