Ndigbo in All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has affirmed Joe Igbokwe, former special adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on drainage and water resources, as its leader.

State Co-ordinator, Chief Chris Ekwilo, spoke at a news conference in Lagos yesterday.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the affirmation followed a call by another Igbo group in the party, asking Igbokwe to step down.

NAN recalls an Ndigbo chieftain, Uche Dimgba, at a news conference, alleged Igbokwe was incompetent, saying the body needed a replacement to spearhead its activities.

Dimgba said Igbokwe’s inability to mobilise people in the grassroots hampered them from securing victory in elections.

Ekwilo, a founding member of APC in the state, maintained Igbokwe remained the leader and the face of Ndigbo in the state.

He affirmed Igbokwe had done well in representing Ndigbo in Sanwo-Olu’s exco, saying the people were behind him.

“We draw attention of the public and our party leadership that Dimgba has been removed as state coordinator of Ndigbo in APC, Lagos State.

“However, he went ahead to form what he calls ‘Authentic Ndigbo in APC Lagos State’. We alert the public of his mischievous intention to malign Igbokwe.

“We want to appeal to the public to disregard what he does since he no longer represents Ndigbo.

“Dimgba was removed as state co-ordinator on January 14, and replaced by his deputy, Chris Ekwilo ,” he said.

Ekwilo reiterated he was state co-ordinator of Ndigbo in APC, Lagos State, and write up from Dimgba should be disregarded.

He noted Dimgba was removed from office when they discovered his loyalty to APC was in question.