More Trouble For Mbata As Ikwerre Group Strips Him Off Titles and Rights
Barikui Ikpotor – Port Harcourt
The controversies surrounding Senator John Azuta-Mbata’s emergence as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, seem not to be abating. This is as the apex Ikwerre socio-cultural organisation has announced the withdrawal of all honours, recognitions, and titles bestowed on the newly elected president in Ikwerre land.
The organisation also barred Azuta-Mbata from activities in Ikwerre land, such as meetings or political representation starting from his hometown, Eneka Community in Apara Kingdom, and Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide.
The body accused Senator Azuta-Mbata, who represented Rivers East Senatorial District at the National Assembly between 1999 to 2007, of committing sacrilege against Ikwerre land for accepting to head an Igbo-dominated organisation.
They also declared that, by accepting the Ohanaeze plum job, he was now a total stranger in Ikwerre land.
The decision was contained in a statement signed by the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, Barr. Godspower Onuekwain and Secretary General Barr. Philips Nyebuchi, which was made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
The statement reads: “The Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization Worldwide, on behalf of Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality in Rivers State, Nigeria, after a passionate and exhaustive review of 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 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, but 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).”
The statement noted that Azuta-Mbata’s decision to contest and also emerge as the president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo was not the collective view, will, position, and thinking of the Eneka community, Apara Kingdom, and the entire Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality.
“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.
“As an Igbo man, he (Azuta-Mbata) is now seen, regarded, and declared 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.
“All awards, honors, and titles bestowed on him by any organization in Ikwerre are hereby withdrawn.
“We call on the international community, President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, HRM Eze A. A. Worlu – Wodo, 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.”
The body warned that heavy and appropriate sanctions await those who will betray and sell out their Ikwerre identity on a platter of political expediency under Ikwerre customs and traditions.
