Divided Loyalties: Senator Azuta Mbata’s Ohanaeze Presidency Sparks Tensions in Ikwerre

The appointment of Senator John Azuta Mbata as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has ignited a fierce debate in Ikwerre, Rivers State. Ogbakor Ikwerre, the cultural organization of the largest ethnic group in the region, has swiftly stripped the former senator of all titles and honors previously granted to him. This dramatic action stems from his decision to accept the leadership of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a socio-cultural group traditionally associated with the Igbo people.

Ogbakor Ikwerre has made it clear that it does not wish to be associated with the Igbo ethnic identity or its culture. In a strongly worded statement, Eze Godspower Onuekwain, the President-General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, emphasized that Senator Mbata’s actions were not aligned with the collective will of the Ikwerre people. According to Onuekwain, Mbata’s choice to accept the role of Ohanaeze President-General amounted to a renunciation of his Ikwerre heritage.

The statement further declared that Senator Mbata, by assuming the Igbo leadership position, had effectively become a “stranger” in his own land. As a result, the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation has banned him from participating in any future gatherings or political affairs of the Ikwerre people. All chieftaincy titles and honors awarded to him have also been revoked.

In a contrasting view, the Committee of Rivers Patriots (CRP) defended Mbata’s right to his personal choices. They pointed out that membership in Ogbakor Ikwerre is voluntary and that no cultural organization has the authority to expel someone for pursuing his political career. CRP further argued that the position of Ohanaeze President-General was open to any Rivers State indigene, not limited to specific ethnic groups.

A prominent Ikwerre elder, Chief Emeh Glory Emeh, also voiced support for Mbata’s decision, calling for unity in the face of what he saw as an opportunity for the Ikwerre and Rivers communities to benefit from his new role. Emeh emphasized that Mbata’s presidency in Ohanaeze did not alter the Ikwerre identity and pointed to previous Ikwerre figures who had similarly contributed to the success of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

In response to the situation, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State was commended for his understanding of the complex political landscape and his timely steps to protect the interests of the state. Emeh called on the people of Ikwerre and Rivers State to rally behind Senator Mbata, recognizing the potential advantages that his leadership of Ohanaeze could bring to the region.

Despite the tensions, it’s clear that the debate surrounding Mbata’s leadership is far from over, as the Ikwerre people continue to wrestle with questions of identity, cultural affiliation, and political power.