Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, the apex socio-cultural group of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, has wielded the big stick against Senator John Azuta-Mbata, the newly elected President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and stripped him of all honours, recognitions, and titles bestowed on by the community.
The organisation descended hard on Azuta-Mbata because he contested and emerged as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which is exclusively for Igbo people, an action considered to be a sacrilege against Ikwerre land and its people.
Azuta-Mbata was also forbidden from taking part in all activities in Ikwerre land, including meetings and political representation, starting from his hometown, Eneka Community in Apara Kingdom, hence reducing him to the status of a total stranger in Ikwerre land.
Eze Barr. Godspower Onuekwain, the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, justified the disciplinary actions Azuta-Mbata on the premises that he took part in the election and eventually became the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
According to the statement: “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).
“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 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 hereby withdrawn.
“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.”
