Senator John Azuta-Mbata ceases to be an Ikwerre man, Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation insists

By Austin Ogwuda

THE Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide has disowned Senator John Azuta-Mbata, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, declaring that by accepting the position, he has, by implication, renounced his identity as an Ikwerre man to align himself with an organisation exclusively reserved for the Igbo people.

The group stated that Azuta-Mbata’s action was a private decision taken without the consent of his kinsmen, community, or the Apara Kingdom.

This position of the group was contained in a press statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday, signed by Godspower Onuekwa and Nyebuchi Philips, President-General and Secretary-General of the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, respectively, obtained by The Townhall NG reads:

“The Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization Worldwide, on behalf of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality in Rivers State, Nigeria after passionate and exhaustive review the Sacrilegious action of Senator John Azuta Mbata, becoming the President – General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, a socio-cultural organization of Igbo People of Nigeria, wish to state in no unambiguous and uncertain terms as follows:

1. That 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.
2. 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).
3. That his action is not the collective view, will, position and thinking of Eneka community, Apara Kingdom and the entire Ikwerre Ethic Nationality.
4. 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 denounce his action; as such action is his private decision taken without the consent of his Community, Kingdom and Iwhuruohna.
5. 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.
6. That all awards, honours , titles bestowed on him by any Organization in Ikwerre are here by withdrawn.
7. That we call on the International Community, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, HRM Eze A. A. Worlu – Wodo DSSRS, JP, Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers and all lovers of Iwhuruohna that Senator John Azuta Mbata has ceased to represent, speak and act on behalf of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality.
8. That heavy and appropriate sanctions awaits those who will betray, and sell out their Ikwerre identity on a platter of political expediency and mere mess of porridge, according to Ikwerre custom and tradition.

Signed:
Eze (Barr.) Godspower Onuekwa Ph.D. President General

Barr. Nyebuchi Philips
Secretary General