WHY I DO NOT BELONG TO OHANAEZE NDIGBO – WIKE, AS LAWYER DISMISSES ALLEGED EXPULSION OF SENATOR MBATA BY OGBAKOR IKWERRE
WHY I DO NOT BELONG TO OHANAEZE NDIGBO – WIKE, AS LAWYER DISMISSES ALLEGED EXPULSION OF SENATOR MBATA BY OGBAKOR IKWERRE Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, addressed the ongoing discussions about Senator John Mbata’s election as the 13th President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, despite being an Ikwerre man. Wike firmly emphasized his identity as an Ikwerre man, making it unequivocally clear that he does not identify as an Igbo man. Nyesom Wike highlighted his strong and harmonious relationships with the Igbo people while emphasizing his distinct ethnic identity. He stated, “I have no problem with Igbo people, and I will not have a problem with them. I have associated with Igbo people across Nigeria.” This statement underscored his respect for and interaction with the Igbo community, while also maintaining a sense of individuality regarding his own ethnic background. The minister went on to elaborate on the richness and complexity of Nigeria’s ethnic diversity. He remarked, “The mere fact that we are all in South Eastern Nigeria doesn’t mean we are the same. The mere fact that we are all in Northern Nigeria doesn’t make everybody an Hausa man.” This observation highlighted the nuanced differences within Nigeria’s geographical regions, where proximity does not necessarily equate to uniformity in cultural or ethnic identity. Using other ethnic groups to illustrate his point, Wike drew parallels that further clarified the distinctions. He explained, “You may have some similarities in language, but that does not mean that the Tivs and the Kanuris are the same people.” This comparison served to reinforce his argument about the unique identities of different ethnic groups, even when linguistic or cultural similarities exist. Concerning Senator Mbata’s recent election, Wike took a neutral approach while emphasizing his own perspective. He stated firmly: “Sen. John Mbata has the right to associate with whoever he wants to associate with. But I’m an unrepentable Ikwerre man, and I’m not an Igbo man; I’m not an Ohanaeze member.” The minister also raised questions about the personal advantages such affiliations might offer. He remarked: “What benefit would I derive from being a member of the group? He (Sen. Mbata) knows why he is there, and he knows the benefit that will be accrued to him. But I will never get anything to deny my identity because of politics.” Over the years, the FCT Minister has consistently maintained his stance that he is an Ikwerre man, not an Igbo man. This position has often been met with counterarguments from some Ndigbo, who contend that the Igbos and Ikwerres share nearly identical linguistic traits and that the Ikwerres are a subgroup of the Igbos in Rivers State. Despite this, Wike has steadfastly insisted that he prefers to align himself with the minority rather than follow the majority. Meanwhile, a Kaduna-based legal practitioner and Coordinator, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide in the 19 Northern States and Abuja, Barr. Austine Amaechi, has dismissed as unserious, the purported expulsion of Senator John Mbata by an association called, Ogbakor Ikwere. Addressing journalists, Chief Amaechi claimed that the letter of purported expulsion was written, signed and published in the media by just, a few people. Still treating everything with a wave of hand, and advising a few people from Ikwere who had been deceiving themselves and the younger generations to stop denying their identity and origin According to the lawyer, some Ikwere people disclaimed their Igbo origin about 50 years ago, during the civil war in order to save their lives and survive. He therefore urged these people to grow up and stop making caricature of themselves, by denying their identity and origin, since the war has ended. Ikwere, he said, is an Igbo language, adding that the people do not only speak Igbo language, but also bear…
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