The recent election of Senator John Azuta Mbata as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has sparked a wave of controversy in Rivers State, particularly within the Ikwerre ethnic group, the largest in the state. In a bold and controversial move, Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation has officially stripped the former senator of all chieftaincy titles previously bestowed upon him.
In a statement issued from Port Harcourt, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre, Eze Godspower Onuekwain, expressed the group’s displeasure, emphasizing that the Ikwerre community would not be subsumed under the Igbo ethnic identity. The statement declared that Ogbakor Ikwerre would continue to assert its distinct cultural and historical identity, rejecting any association with the Igbo culture that would dilute its heritage.
Onuekwain further elaborated that the decision to strip Senator Mbata of his honors and titles was a necessary response to his appointment as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a move that the community sees as conflicting with its longstanding tradition and autonomy.
The action has stirred emotions both within Rivers State and beyond, raising questions about the delicate balance between ethnic affiliations and regional identity. While supporters of Mbata see his new role as a significant achievement for the Igbos, critics argue that it undermines the uniqueness and sovereignty of the Ikwerre people, who have long prided themselves on their independence from the larger Igbo influence.
This development further complicates the already complex landscape of ethnic dynamics in Nigeria, where issues of identity, power, and representation continue to shape national discourse.
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