Ikwerre Leaders Disown Mbata Over Ohanaeze Presidency, Strip Him of All Titles

A major identity dispute has erupted in Rivers State as Ikwerre leaders have moved against their kinsman, Senator John Mbata, following his election as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural group of the Igbo people. The Ogbakor Ikwerre, the central body representing the Ikwerre ethnic group, has denounced Mbata’s new role, accusing him of attempting to alter the identity of the Ikwerre people, many of whom do not consider themselves Igbo.

In a strongly worded statement, Ogbakor Ikwerre announced Mbata’s expulsion from the group and revoked all honours, awards, and chieftaincy titles previously bestowed upon him. The statement, signed by its President-General Dr. Godspower Onuekwa and Secretary-General Nyebuchi Philips, declared that by accepting the Ohanaeze leadership, Mbata had effectively renounced his Ikwerre identity.

“Having freely accepted the position of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, an exclusive organisation of Igbo people, he has willingly and freely renounced his membership and identity with the Ikwerre (Iwhuruohna),” the group stated. It further warned that any Ikwerre individual who aligned with Ohanaeze or acted contrary to their stance would face “heavy sanctions.”

The Ogbakor Ikwerre also called on President Bola Tinubu, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, and traditional leaders to take note that Mbata “has ceased to represent, speak, or act on behalf of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality.”

However, the Ikwerre Peoples Congress (IPC) Worldwide has strongly opposed Ogbakor Ikwerre’s stance, dismissing it as an attempt to stifle Ikwerre’s historical ties with the Igbo. IPC Secretary-General Stanley Worlu and Director of Diaspora Affairs Nyedike Douglas insisted that the Ikwerre people are riverine Igbo and have deep cultural and historical connections with their Igbo counterparts.

“We are Riverine Igbos, and our relationship with hinterland Igbo cannot be disputed. Those who feel their own version of Ikwerre is Bini-related should feel free and let other Ikwerres live their lives,” IPC declared, warning against what it described as a “pull-down campaign” against Mbata and others who embrace Igbo identity.

Livingstone Wechie, President of the Rivers State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, dismissed Ogbakor Ikwerre’s position, arguing that Mbata remained a respected Ikwerre leader. He accused Ogbakor Ikwerre of pursuing a colonial agenda to erase Ikwerre’s Igbo roots.

“The position that Ikwerres are Igbo is both a scientific, historic, and natural fact,” Wechie asserted. “Everything about us is Igbo. Igbo is a race with multiple language groups, and Ikwerre is the largest Igbo group.” He further criticized the leadership of Ogbakor Ikwerre for allegedly prioritizing political interests over historical truths.

The controversy has sparked wider reactions, with various Igbo groups condemning Ogbakor Ikwerre’s actions. Ambassador Akpelu Azunna, President General of Ogbakor Igbo Nile, described their stance as “cowardly” and politically motivated. He argued that Ikwerre’s cultural practices, including their traditional four-market-day calendar, align with those of other Igbo communities.

Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth President Comrade Chukwuma Okpalaezukwu also criticized Ogbakor Ikwerre, calling their rejection of Mbata “unfortunate” and not representative of the broader Ikwerre people. Similarly, the National President of Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, mocked the group’s position, questioning how they could deny their Igbo ancestry while using an Igbo-language name.

As the dispute continues to escalate, the President-General of the Coalition of Southeast Youth Leaders (COSYL), Comrade Goodluck Ibem, called for the complete withdrawal of Ikwerre from Ohanaeze Ndigbo, stating, “We don’t need them.”