A growing controversy has erupted in Rivers State following the appointment of Senator John Azuta Mbata as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex body for the Igbo ethnic group in Nigeria.
In a dramatic move, the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation, which represents the Ikwerre people of the state, has stripped the former senator of all chieftaincy titles previously bestowed upon him.
In a statement issued in Port Harcourt, Eze Godspower Onuekwain, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre, explained that the disciplinary action followed Mbata’s election as President General of Ohanaeze.
The group emphasized that Mbata’s decision to take up this role was made without the approval of the Ikwerre community, particularly the Eneka community, Apara Kingdom, and the broader Ikwerre ethnic nationality.
Eze Onuekwain stated that by accepting the position of Ohanaeze President General, Mbata had effectively renounced his Ikwerre heritage, thereby disassociating himself from the Iwhuruohna (Ikwerre people), adding that they aren’t Igbo.
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.”