The apex body representing the Ikwerre ethnic nationality in Rivers State, The Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, has announced the withdrawal of all honours, recognitions, and titles previously bestowed on Senator John Azuta-Mbata, the newly elected President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The group also issued a ban preventing Azuta-Mbata, who represented Rivers East Senatorial District from 1999 to 2007, from participating in activities within Ikwerre land.
This includes being excluded from community meetings and political engagements in his hometown, Eneka Community, in Apara Kingdom.
The Ikwerre leadership accused Azuta-Mbata of committing a “sacrilege” by accepting the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural organization that represents the Igbo people.
They argued that by assuming this position, Azuta-Mbata had effectively renounced his Ikwerre identity, labeling him as “a total stranger” to the community.
In a statement signed by the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Eze Barr. Godspower Onuekwa, and the Secretary General, Barr. Nyebuchi Philips, the group expressed strong disapproval of Azuta-Mbata’s actions. They stated that by becoming the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Azuta-Mbata had willingly renounced his membership and identity as an Ikwerre person (Iwhuruohna). They further clarified that his decision to contest and assume the leadership role of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was not supported by the Eneka community, Apara Kingdom, or the Ikwerre ethnic nationality.
“By becoming the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta-Mbata has willingly and freely renounced his membership and identity as an Ikwerre person (Iwhuruohna).
“His decision to contest and emerge as the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was not the collective view, will, position, or thinking of the Eneka community, Apara Kingdom, and the Ikwerre ethnic nationality.”