Former South East campaign spokesman for President Bola Tinubu, Denge Josef Onoh, has urged the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council to exercise restraint in its handling of the ongoing contract dispute between the Enugu State Government and Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele, Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited.
The controversy stems from an alleged contract failure linked to the N5.7–N11 billion Enugu Smart Schools project awarded to Mr. Ogundele, a contractor from the South West. Following the dispute, Ohanaeze Ndigbo described Ogundele as a “saboteur” and demanded that he return the funds to the Enugu State Government.
In his reaction, Onoh emphasized that Ohanaeze’s mandate as a socio-cultural body does not extend to criminal investigations, contract enforcement, or recovery of funds on behalf of state governments. He warned that such overreach risks inflaming ethnic tensions in Nigeria’s fragile political climate, particularly as the 2027 elections approach.
Onoh acknowledged the youth wing’s concern for accountability but stressed the importance of due process, presumption of innocence, and respect for institutional boundaries. He noted that Ogundele had already submitted himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Enugu, accompanied by his lawyers, and has been cooperating fully with the ongoing investigation.
“The EFCC’s interrogation is tied to allegations of fund diversion and money laundering in connection with the Smart Schools project,” Onoh said. “His accounts have been frozen, and stringent bail conditions imposed. But publicly labeling him a ‘saboteur’ before the courts decide risks prejudicing the case and undermining trust in our justice system.”
Onoh further explained that the Enugu State Government has already taken civil legal steps to recover its funds and enforce the contract terms. He praised Governor Peter Mbah for adopting a transparent approach, assuring that no public funds will be lost in the process.
He also drew attention to a joint EFCC–Enugu inspection earlier this year, which confirmed project delays. Ogundele had attributed these to inflation, rising material costs, and project complexities—factors Onoh said deserved a forensic review rather than public vilification.
While commending the enthusiasm of the Ohanaeze youth body, Onoh warned against actions that might escalate tensions. He noted that Nigeria’s ethnic sensitivities remain fragile and urged that issues of accountability be handled through legal and institutional frameworks, not ethnic narratives.
“Nigeria’s divisions are largely ethnic, and we know this reality well,” Onoh said. “This case involves a Yoruba contractor hired by an Igbo-led state government. It should represent collaboration, not division. If a Yoruba group publicly attacked an Igbo contractor in Lagos, the reaction would be swift and condemnatory. We must not repeat the same mistakes.”
Onoh appealed to the Ohanaeze Youth Council to either retract or clarify its earlier statement in a way that underscores support for due process rather than pre-judging individuals. Instead, he suggested they focus their energy on demanding transparency in contract bidding processes within Igbo states to ensure that credible local firms are prioritized.
He further called for quiet mediation and suggested neutral professional bodies such as the Nigerian Institute of Architects could help resolve the civil dispute amicably, with priority placed on completing the schools rather than inflaming political or ethnic tensions.
“The Smart Schools are crucial for Enugu’s future. Let us keep our focus on ensuring those schools are built. That should be the common ground that unites us,” Onoh urged.
Concluding, he reminded that justice should be impartial and free from bias:
“Our collective voice is powerful when it unites, not when it divides. Let justice flow like a river—steady, impartial, and untainted by haste or ethnic prejudice.”
