The resolve of the apex socio-cultural group of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality in Rivers State, Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, to maintain its unique identity and history separate from others has taken a new dimension as it withdrew all honours, recognitions, and titles bestowed on Senator John Azuta-Mbata.
Azuta – Mbata is the newly elected President – General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, an umbrella body of Igbo ethnic nationality in the Southeast geopolitical zone.
The decision to strip Azuta-Mbata of titles, honours and membership followed his acceptance of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo leadership role, which the Ogbakor Ikwerre leadership deemed as a sacrilege against Ikwerreland and its people.
The Ikwerre leadership has also barred Azuta-Mbata from taking part in any activities in Ikwerre land, including meetings and political representation, starting from his hometown, Eneka Community in Apara Kingdom.
The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Eze (Barr.) Godspower Onuekwain, which conveyed this measures in a statement on Thursday, said the disciplinary actions became necessary because Azuta-Mbata decided to contest the Ohanaeze Ndigbo presidency, a role he eventually won.
Eze Onuekwain added that Senator Azuta-Mbata’s decision to contest and subsequently emerging as the president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo was not the collective view, will, position, and thinking of the Eneka community, Apara Kingdom, and the entire Ikwerre ethnic nationality.
By this drastic measure, Ogbakor Ikwerre effectively consider Azuta-Mbata as a total stranger in Ikwerre land.
The Ikwerre apex body, therefore, warned that based on the cherished Ikwerre custom and tradition, heavy and appropriate sanctions await those who will betray and sell out their Ikwerre identity on a platter of political expediency and mere porridge.
The statement reads, “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 organisation 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.
“We call on the international community, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, HRM Eze A. A. Worlu-Wodo DSSRS, JP, Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, and all lovers of Iwhuruohna that Senator John Azuta Mbata has ceased to represent, speak, and act on behalf of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality.”
.
