By Ekuson Nw’Ogbunka Abuja
Barr Austine Amaechi, a Kaduna based legal practitioner and the Coordinator, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide in the 19 Northern States and Abuja has treated with dismissal and unseriousness the purported expulsion of the recently elected President – General (PG) of the Igbo socio cultural organisation, Distinguished Senator John Mbata by an association of Ikwere people, Ogbakor Ikwere.
The Coordinator addressed journalists to that effect over the weekend.
Chief Amaechi said that the letter of expulsion was purportedly written, signed and published on the media by just, but a few people, adding that a greater population of Ikwere people believe and agree that they are Ndigbo.
Mbata was disowned and published on the media by Ogbakor Ikwere, with a reason that the Ikwere people aren’t Igbo people and for the fact that the senator has decided to join the Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide and become its PG, he has seized to be a member of the association.
Reacting further, Chief Amaechi reminded them that as is done in other Igbo states in Nigeria, in line with Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide’s constitution, an Ikwere man has recently been elected as the president of the Igbo socio cultural organization in Rivers State.
Still treating everything with a wave of hand, and advising a few people from Ikwere who has been deceiving themselves and the younger generations to stop denying themselves of their rights, identity and origin, the legal guru therefore reminded them that they disclaimed Igbo about 50 years ago, during the civil war in order to save their lives and survive. For that, he continued to urge them to grow up and stop making caricature of themselves, by denying themselves their rights, identity and origin, since the war has ended.
Ikwere itself, he went on is an Igbo language, adding that they don’t only speak Igbo language, but also answer Igbo names and have the four market days of Eke, Orie Afor and Nkwor, Ndigbo are known with. He said that they claimed their origin from Benin and they were denied by the Benin people. Chief Austine C. Amaechi therefore reminded them, with their claims, they have no place to trace their origin and have lost in Nigeria’s history.
Stating categorically that Ikwere people are Ndigbo and that Distinguished Senator John Azuta Mbata is the PG, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, he said each ethnic group in Nigeria has a socio cultural organisation, and they work together toward promoting unity and peace in Nigeria. For this, he called for the support of the new PG, for a common goal of unity, peace and progress of purpose to be achieved.
2) Igbo leader dismisses expulsion of Ohanaeze PG
By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi
Abuja
A chieftain of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Barrister Austine Amaechi, has dismissed with a wave of hand, the expulsion of the newly elected President-General (PG) of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Azuta Mbata, by a group of Ikwere people, Ogbakor Ikwere.
Amaechi, a Kaduna based legal practitioner, and the Coordinator of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, described the expulsion as “unserious” and “a mere publication by a few individuals.”
According to Amaechi, the Ikwere people are Igbo, and their language, cultures, and traditions are all Igbo. He reminded them that they had previously denied their Igbo heritage during the civil war, but now that the war is over, it’s time for them to acknowledge their true identity.
Amaechi also pointed out that as is obtainable in other Igbo States in Nigeria, an Ikwere man, Livingstone Wechie had been elected the president of the Igbo socio-cultural organization in Rivers State, urging the dew among Ikwere people to stop denying their Igbo heritage, but instead work towards unity and peace with other Igbo groups.
In a related development, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has reaffirmed its commitment to rotating the presidency among its member states, in line with its constitution, which made it possible for the current PG to come from Rivers State. This decision has been supported by various groups, including the Ikwerre Youths Progressive Initiative, which has endorsed Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, for the position.
3) Ikwere group’s expulsion of Ohanaeze PG, a divisive move, says Amaechi
By Abbanobi -Eku Onyekachi
Abuja
A recent development has unfolded in the Igbo socio-cultural organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, as an association of Ikwere people, Ogbakor Ikwere, purportedly expelled the newly elected President-General (PG), Distinguished Senator John Azuta Mbata.
However, Chief Austine Amaechi, a Kaduna based legal practitioner and the Coordinator, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, has dismissed the move as unserious and divisive.
According to Amaechi, the expulsion letter was signed and published by only a few individuals, whereas the majority of Ikwere people identify as Ndigbo. This raises questions about the legitimacy and representation of the Ogbakor Ikwere group’s actions.
Still calling the few who had been coming out with decisive acts among Ndigbo, the legal guru cum Ohaneze Coordinator informed that in line with the constitution of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, an Ikwere man, Livingstone Wechie, has been elected to the position of the Igbo socio cultural organisation president in Rivers State, as is done in other Igbo states in the South South and South East in Nigeria.
The Ikwere people’s relationship with the Igbo community has been a subject of debate. While few claim that Ikwere is not Igbo, majority argue that they are, sharing a common heritage and identity with Ndigbo. The recent protest in Ikwere land, where few individuals denounced their alleged Igbo roots, has further fueled the controversy.
Before the election of Mbata, an Ikwerre socio-cultural group, Ikwerre Youths Progressive Initiative (IYPI), has urged former Rivers State Governor and Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, to run for the PG of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The group believed that Amaechi’s leadership qualities and experience made him an ideal candidate for the position.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and the Ikwere people will navigate this complex issue. One thing is certain – the election of a new PG was slated for January 2025, and Senator John Mbata, an Igbo man from Rivers State emerged as the PG and the outcome of his election is likely to have significant implications for the Igbo community and their relationships with other ethnic groups.