By CHARLES IWUOHA

Apex lgbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Lagos Branch, has reaffirmed its support to the global leadership of Ohanaeze led by Chief Emmanuel lwuanyanwu.

It also threw its weight behind the Youth leaders while dismissing a libelous publication against three National Youth leaders of the group, Comrade Chinedu Ugwa, Comrade Obasi Onu and Chukwuma Okpalazeukwu.

In a statement on Tuesday signed on its behalf by Comrade Robert Obasi, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos Branch said its recent visit to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was not fraudulent.

The statement reads in part: “Our attention has been drawn to a publication circulating on the platform of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos and other Igbo platform, where three illustrious sons of Ndigbo were labeled ;Fraudsters’.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos recognised and appreciate the contribution of Chukwuma Okpalazeukwu during the 2023 campaign. Their participation in the endorsement of Mr Babajide Sanwolu.”

The statement noted that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State and G50 Ofu Obi are aware of the award presented to Governor Sanwo-Olu by the aforementioned persons.

“We state that the award was genuine and was done in good faith. We categorically state that no one was arrested for awarding the Excellence award to the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as claimed by the writer.

We state that, Mr Chinedu Ugwa, Mr Obasi Onu and Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu are bonafide members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo with outstanding leadership achievements,” the statement said.

It frowned at the activities of one Mike Kelechi, “who has continuously made himself a tool of destruction in Ohanaeze Lagos Branch”.

“Executive members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Lagos State disassociate themselves from all the activities of the imposter as he is not a member of the state executive,” the statement said.