By: Felix Ikpotor
As reactions continue to trail the emergence of Senator John Azuta-Mbata as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, 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 participating in 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 Ikwerreland for accepting to head an Igbo-dominated organisation.
They also declared that by virtue of his acceptance of the Ohanaeze plum job, he is 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 and 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 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 emerging as the president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo was not the collective view, will, position and thinking of Eneka community, Apara Kingdom and the entire Ikwerre Ethic 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 denounce 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 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.
“All awards, honours and titles bestowed on him by any organization in Ikwerre are here by 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 awaits those who will betray, and sell out their Ikwerre identity on a platter of political expediency in accordance with Ikwerre customs and traditions.
