Factional Eze Ndigbo, Dr. Christian Nwachukwu has thrown his weight behind the ban on the Eze Ndigbo title by the Babatunde Fashola-led Lagos State Government.

He has also pledged to join as co-defendant with the state government in the suit filed against it by 14 Igbo chiefs.

He described the 14 chiefs who sued the Lagos State Government over the Eze Ndigbo title as misguided elements, adding that he dissociates himself from the suit.

Nwachukwu, in a letter to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Kunle Odufuwa, said the South-East Traditional Rulers Council did well in calling for the ban on the title in Lagos, which the state government later enforced.

“I accepted the views of the South-East Traditional Rulers Council and have applauded the affirmation of same by the Lagos State Government, which acted swiftly to avoid the impending catastrophe on Ndigbo by the frenzy with which the claim to Eze Ndigboship of Lagos State was being pursued and the frequent breach of public peace attendant thereon.

“There is a sinister aspect of the suit No. FHC/C/CS/469/2009, which, with some intelligence/insight, your office would uncover that the proponents of this suit are all driven by the urge to have something to sell to their minders, the PDP, in readiness for 2011,” he stated.

Nwachukwu pointed out that the emphasis in the suit that Ndigbo were being selectively targeted, was to drive an ethnic wedge to the otherwise inevitable action of the state government in banning the rancorous claim to the title of Eze Ndigbo of Lagos State.

“Therefore, to fortify the Lagos State government’s position, subject to the views the government might hold, I should seek a joinder in the suit, as co-defendant with the government.

“The essence of which would be for me to prove my title and to say that in grit of same, I have no objection to the abolition of the title by the South-East Traditional Rulers Council, which the government only gave assent to.

“This will, at least, denude the practitioners of this mischief, the ethnic rancour and damage being sought by the suit,” he stated.

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has granted leave to fourteen aggrieved Igbo traditional title-holders in Lagos to sue the Babatunde Fashola-led Lagos State government over the ban of their title in the state.

The order of the court was sequel to a suit filed before the court by fourteen traditional title holders of Eze Ndigbo led by Eze John Nwoche, a lawyer, to challenge the Lagos State government, from parading themselves as Eze Ndigbo in the state.

Joined as co-respondents in the ensuing legal battle are Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftancy Affairs and Eze Cletus Ikechukwu Ilomuanya.

In an affidavit sworn to by Nwoche, he averred that on 28 April, 2009, Lagos State government authorised the Ministry of Local Government and chieftancy affairs to publish in the media houses in Nigeria that Ilomuanya led a delegation of South East traditional rulers to the palace of Oba of Lagos requesting for the ban.

Consequently, Lagos State government banned the title of Eze Ndigbo in Lagos.

Nwoche claimed that the Igbos maintain their traditional title any where they are, according to their customs. He stated that the title Eze Ndigbo, which means the King of the Igbos, is the highest customary law to honour an Igbo and any community can confer the title on their illustrious sons, who deserve and merit such honour.

Therefore the deponent contended that the ban on the title Eze Ndigbo in Lagos is discriminating against the Igbos in the state and restraining them to acquire such title is unconstitutional and discriminatory.”

It was further averred that it is not the duty of Lagos State government to choose an Igbo King for the Igbo speaking community in the state. Thus, he urged the court to declare the ban placed on applicants to practice, observe and enforce their native law and custom is unconstitutional under Section 42(1) (2) of the 1999 Constitution.

Justice Mohammed Sanni has adjourned further hearing till 1 June.

Meanwhile, the aggrieved 14 Igbo chiefs are organising a solidarity rally tomorrow in Oko-Oba area of Lagos in connection with the ban.

Sources told P.M. News this morning that Igbo in Lagos are expected to attend the rally.