•Rivers Patriots, others back him, say his emergence does not make Ikwere Igbo
The emergence of Senator John Azuta Mbata as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo worldwide has caused confusion in Ikwerre, the biggest ethnic nationality in Rivers state, with Ogbakor Ikwerre community stripping the former Senator of all chieftaincy titles earlier bestowed on him.
Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation said 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.
In a statement in Port Harcourt, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Eze Godspower Onuekwain, said the disciplinary actions of stripping Senator Azuta-Mbata of all his honours, recognitions and chieftaincy titles became necessary following his emergence as President General of Ohanaeze.
Eze Onuekwain said that Senator Azuta-Mbata’s decision to contest and subsequently emerge as the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo was not the collective view and position of the Eneka community, Apara Kingdom, and the entire Ikwerre ethnic nationality.
“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”, the statement said.
In its response, another group, Committee of Rivers Patriots, CRP, in a statement signed by its President, Engineer Datubo Georgewill 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”.
The Committee believes that 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 noted that “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”.
Also making his position known in the saga, a prominent Ikwerre elder and former Chief of Staff in the state, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh said Ikwerre people have nothing to lose over the emergence of Senator Mbata as Ohanaeze President.
Glory Emeh faulted those who are opposed to the emergence of Senator Mbata, arguing that the development is beneficial to Ikwerre and Rivers people, and should therefore be commended, and not condemned.
The 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; 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 called on Ikwerre and entire Rivers people to appreciate the importance of this bold step, and support the Senator to succeed.(Vanguard)
