By TEMIDAYO AKINSUYI, Lagos

The Lagos state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has waded into the crisis over who is the authentic apex leaders of Ndigbos in the party, affirming its support for Joe Igbokwe, the former Publicity Secretary of the party in the state and currently the Special Adviser on Drainage and Water Resources to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Igbokwe had been at loggerheads with Hon. Jude Idimogu, a member of the Lagos state House of Assembly representing Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II over the position.

While Igbokwe who has been a member of the APC since the days of the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD) said he is the apex leader, Idimogu who joined the APC in February 2017 however, maintained that he is the most senior elected person in Ndigbo Lagos APC to date and such is the apex leader.

Speaking with Daily Independent on Monday, Alhaji Tunde Balogun said in order to maintain peace and harmony in the party, the party leadership led by him invited both men to his office where a meeting was held.

He said it was agreed that Joe Igbokwe should be the apex leader of Igbos in APC while Idimogu should be the deputy apex leader. He also enjoined both men to work together for the interest of Igbos in Lagos and APC.

His words “Of course, we had a meeting last week Friday in my office. With my intervention in the matter, the party has resolved that both of them should work together as brothers and bring their supporters together so that they can work together for Igbos in APC in peace and harmony”.

“With the situation of things, Joe Igbokwe will be the apex leader of Igbos in APC, while Jude Idimogu will be the deputy apex leader. Of course, Idimogu is a young man who has a bright future in our party; he must be ready to work with his brother, Igbokwe who has been in the party for some time” Balogun said.

When contacted, Igbokwe said the party has affirmed him as the party leader and that decision stands.

“Yes, we had a meeting on Friday. The party leadership has settled the issue and I don’t think there will be any crisis again” he said.

However when contacted, Idimogu said the party never recognised Igbokwe as the apex leader. He said the party chairman only said the two of them as leaders of Ndigbos in Lagos should work together as brothers to advance the cause of Igbos in APC.

He also said the party said they recognised his efforts in the party and that he has better prospects than Igbokwe in the party.

According to Idimogu “It is not true that Igbokwe was recognised as apex leader. The party chairman, Alhaji Tunde Balogun called myself and Joe Igbokwe and sat us down, he then said ‘Jude, the party hierarchy has recognised your efforts in Lagos state”. (Daily Independent)