- Insists we’re Not Igbo
- Strips Sen Mbata of all titles
The Ogbakor Ikwerre Community in Rivers State is angry that one of their sons, Senator John Azuta-Mbata has broken traditional protocols to emerge as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo worldwide
Consequently, the community as representatives of the Ikwerre nation, the biggest ethnic nationality in the Oil-rich State, has stripped the former lawmaker of all chieftaincy titles earlier bestowed on him
Distancing itself from Sen Azuta-Mbata’s mounting of the saddle as Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo boss, the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation is insisting that it would continue to maintain its unique identity and history separate from others and as such would not want to be identified with Igbo ethnic nationality and culture.
According to a statement in Port Harcourt by the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Eze Godspower Onuekwain, the disciplinary actions of stripping Senator Azuta-Mbata of all his honours, recognitions and chieftaincy titles became necessary following his decision to contest and subsequently become the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo
Eze Onuekwain said Senator Azuta-Mbata’s decision-making was not the collective view and position of the Eneka community, Apara Kingdom, and the entire Ikwerre ethnic nationality.
The statement said; “The Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization Worldwide, on behalf of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality in Rivers State, Nigeria, after a passionate and exhaustive review of the sacrilegious action of Senator John Azuta-Mbata, becoming the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, a socio-cultural organization of Igbo People of Nigeria, wish to state in no unambiguous and uncertain terms that;
“Senator John Azuta-Mbata has the inalienable right to belong to any association of his choice in Nigeria as enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, but by becoming the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, an exclusive organization of Igbo people, he has willingly and freely renounced his membership and identity of Ikwerre people (Iwhuruohna).
“Having freely taken a position to be an Igbo man and to occupy the position of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide unreservedly and unequivocally disclaims and denounces his action; as such action is his private decision taken without the consent of his community, kingdom, and Iwhuruohna.
“As an Igbo man, he (Azuta-Mbata) is now seen, regarded, and declared as a stranger living in Ikwerre land. Therefore, he has been barred from participating in any Iwhuruohna gathering, meetings, or political representation starting from his Eneka Community, Apara Kingdom, and Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide.
“All awards, honours, and titles bestowed on him by any organization in Ikwerre are hereby withdrawn”.
But reacting to the latest development, another group, Committee of Rivers Patriots (CRP) said membership of Ogbakor Ikwerre is voluntary and as such “no room for the banishment, not even the local communities can attempt to do that”.
A statement signed by its President, Engineer Datubo Georgewill said the CRP believes the position of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was zoned to Rivers state and not any ethnic nationality, adding that, “Senator Azuta John Mbata contested as a Rivers indigene”.
It further noted thus; “Senator John Mbata didn’t run for the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndigbo world-wide on the nomination or on the platform of any cultural organization and therefore not answerable to any cultural body or group”.
Similarly, a prominent Ikwerre elder and former Chief of Staff in the State, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh, while expressing his views on the issue, said Ikwerre people have nothing to lose over the emergence of Senator Mbata as Ohanaeze President.
He faulted those who are opposed to Mbata’s emergence, arguing that the development is beneficial to Ikwerre and Rivers people, and should therefore be commended, and not condemned.
Glory Emeh, who was also a former Commissioner for Transport and Aviation, recalled that prominent sons from Ikwerre and Rivers State such as Dr. Obi Wali, Senate Minority leader at a time; Chief Emma Aguma, former Minister; and Chief C.C. Nwuche, former senior police officer etc. had, at different times, served as President-General, Secretary-General, Treasurer in Ohaneze, and that available records also show that their association with Ohaneze Ndigbo proved to be beneficial.
“Senator Mbata, being President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo has not changed anything, and does not make Ikwerre Igbo. We are not losing anything because Ikwerre Man is the President-General of Ohaneze.Those who served in the past did so for one good reason or the other, and the objectives were achieved.
“Let us therefore support the Ikwerre President – General of Ohaneze Ndigbo so that the dividends of that decision can come to Ikwerre land and the entire Rivers State.
“In this connection, I wish to commend the governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for demonstrating a good understanding of the dynamics of Nigerian politics in the 21st century, and for taking the right steps at the right times to protect the interest of Rivers State. I am proud that Senator Azuta Mbata took this decision”, he said
Importantly, Glory Emeh urged all Ikwerre and entire Rivers people to appreciate the importance of this bold step, and support the Senator to succeed in this new assignment.
