Ogbakor Ikwerre Expels Sen. John Mbata Over Emergence As Ohanaeze Ndi-Igbo, Declares Him Stranger To Ikwerre Land
Press Release
The Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, on behalf of the 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 the Igbo people of Nigeria, wishes to state in no unambiguous and uncertain terms as follows:
(1) 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.
(2) That by becoming the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, an exclusive organization of Igbo people, he has willingly and freely renounced his membership and identity with the Ikwerre people (Iwhuruohna).
(3) That his action is not the collective view, will, position, or thinking of Eneka Community, Apara Kingdom, and the entire Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality.
(4) That 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.
(5) That as an Igbo man, he 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.
(6) That all awards, honors, and titles bestowed on him by any organization in Ikwerre are hereby withdrawn.
(7) That we call on the international community, the 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 of Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, and all lovers of Iwhuruohna to note that Senator John Azuta Mbata has ceased to represent, speak, or act on behalf of the Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality.
(8) That heavy and appropriate sanctions await those who betray and sell out their Ikwerre identity on a platter of political expediency and a mere mess of porridge, according to Ikwerre custom and tradition.
Sign:
Eze Barr. Godspower Onuekwa Ph.D.
President-General
Barr. Nyebuchi Philips
Secretary-General
