The Ikwerre people of Rivers State have publicly distanced themselves from John Azuta-Mbata, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, accusing him of accepting the position without consulting his kinsmen, community, or the Apara Kingdom.
Under the umbrella of the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization Worldwide, the group stated that Azuta-Mbata, by accepting the leadership of an organization meant solely for the Igbo, has effectively denied his identity as an Ikwerre man.
- Delta Airlines Offers $30,000 Compensation to Passengers After Toronto Plane Crash
- FG Bans 60,000 Litres Petroleum Tankers to Curb Accidents & Explosions on Nigerian Roads
- 94-Year-Old Man Registers for 2025 UTME, Fulfills Lifelong Dream
- 23-year-old Ekiti Man Arrested for Allegedly Attempting to Use Nephew for Money Ritual
- Australian Woman Annie Knight, who Set a Goal to Sleep with 1000 Men in 2025, Says She’s Ready for Love
- Late Herbert Wigwe’s 90-year-old Father Takes his Grand-daughter to Appeal Court over her Father’s Estate
In a statement released on Friday and signed by the President-General, Godspower Onuekwa, and the Secretary-General, Nyebuchi Philip, the organization emphasized that Azuta-Mbata acted independently, without seeking approval from his people or community leaders.
They described his decision as a grave offense, adding that Azuta-Mbata has now chosen to identify as an Igbo man and will no longer be recognized as one of their own in Ikwerre land. The group further declared that all titles and honors previously given to him by any Ikwerre group have been revoked.
The statement reads, “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.
“That 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). That his action is not the collective view, will, position, and thinking of Eneka community, Apara Kingdom and the entire Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality.
“That 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.”
It continued, “That as an Igbo man, he 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.”
