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The Ikwerre ethnic group in Rivers State has publicly distanced itself from John Azuta-Mbata, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, accusing him of accepting the position without seeking the consent of his kinsmen, community, or kingdom. This act, they claim, undermines the collective voice and traditional consultative process of the Ikwerre people.
Under the banner of the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization Worldwide, the kinsmen asserted that John Azuta-Mbata had effectively abandoned his identity as an Ikwerre man by accepting the position of President General in an organization strictly dedicated to representing the Igbo people.The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization Worldwide, with the document jointly signed by its President-General, Godspower Onuekwa, and Secretary-General, Nyebuchi Philip.
The group stated that Azuta-Mbata’s actions were undertaken solely at his discretion, without involving his kinsmen, the community, or the leadership of the Apara Kingdom, highlighting the absence of communal consent in his decision.
Describing his action as sacrilege, the body said Azuta-Mbata had chosen to be an Igbo man, and would henceforth be regarded as a stranger in Ikwerre land, adding that all honours and titles bestowed on him by any organisation in Ikwerre had been withdrawn.
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.
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“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.”