Chief Sunday Ude Dismisses Publication Allegations Fuelled by Payment Dispute

Chief Sunday Ude Dismisses Publication Allegations Fuelled by Payment Dispute

….. affirm support for APC and advise Igbos to register at the on going E- Membership registration of the party in all local government in lagos State.

By Naomi Onome

Chief Dr Sunday Ude, President of the Igbo Speaking Community in Lagos, responded to a recent publication by PM Express, dismissing it as a baseless attack fuelled by a payment dispute.

He clarified that the Igbo community has been legally registered and active in Lagos since 1998, long before the state government’s recent pronouncements on Eze Ndi Igbo titles, and emphasised that the community’s traditional leadership has helped maintain peace between Igbo and Yoruba residents across various local government areas.

Udeh affirmed his loyalty to the APC ruling party, urging Igbos in Lagos to register and align with it, while warning that the opposition is using the media to create confusion and undermine his leadership.

He stressed that Lagos State’s laws stand, but the community’s cultural practices and leadership structure predate these regulations and continue to foster harmony in the state.

Udeh clarified that his earlier publication encouraged Igbo people to register with the APC, the ruling party in Lagos, he said.

PM Express also published the said report on their platform, but tensions arose when the writer felt underpaid; he questioned the payment distribution between himself and another writer, suggesting that his payment was unjust, hence the publication to slander.

Ude emphasised that the Igbo community has been a recognised entity in Lagos since 1998; the Igbos have been conducting their cultural and traditional practices, including the crowning of community leaders, even prior to state regulations.

He acknowledged Lagos State’s authority to impose laws and defended the long-standing existence of the Igbo community and its contributions to maintaining peace with the Yoruba population through leadership structures established to mitigate potential conflicts.

He staunchly denied claims made by the publication circulating the internet stating that, on no account, has he misrepresented or disobeyed the authority of the Lagos State Government. He made it clear that he would not contravene any legal decisions by the Lagos State government regarding community leadership and warned against further slander put together to smear his name.

He noted that in recent times and times past, the leadership from the late President Muhammadu Buhari to date have had their Igbo titles to show that they resonate with the Igbo culture as well as other cultures to foster peace, togetherness and one Nigeria.

Additionally, Udeh rebuffed claims from opponents of the APC, asserting his commitment to the party and stating that any dissenting voices attempting to undermine his position are merely attempts to generate division among the Igbo community. His loyalty to the APC remains firm, and he intends to encourage Igbo alignment with the party regardless of opposition.