Rivers group denounces Azuta-Mbata for accepting Ohanaeze leadership role

The Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide in Rivers State has disowned Senator John Azuta-Mbata, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, accusing him of assuming the position without consulting his kinsmen, community, or kingdom.
The organisation further stated that by accepting the position, Azuta-Mbata had renounced his identity as an Ikwerre man to align himself with an organisation exclusively reserved for the Igbo people.
This declaration was contained in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Friday, signed by Godspower Onuekwa and Nyebuchi Philip, President-General and Secretary-General of the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, respectively, and shared with journalists.
The group stated that Azuta-Mbata’s action was a private decision taken without the consent of his kinsmen, community, or the Apara Kingdom.
The statement read, “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 organisation of Igbo people of Nigeria, wishes to state in clear and unequivocal terms as follows:
“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.
“That 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 as an Ikwerre man (Iwhuruohna).
“That his action does not represent the collective view, will, position, or thinking of the Eneka community, Apara Kingdom, or the entire Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality.
“That having freely chosen to identify as an Igbo man and to occupy the position of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide unequivocally disclaims and denounces his action as a personal decision taken without the consent of his community, kingdom, or Iwhuruohna.”
The group described Azuta-Mbata’s decision as a sacrilege, adding that he would henceforth be regarded as a stranger in Ikwerre land. It further announced the withdrawal of all honours and titles bestowed on him by any Ikwerre organisation.