Rivers Group Disowns Azuta-Mbata Over Ohanaeze Leadership Role

The Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, a prominent socio-cultural body in Rivers State, has distanced itself from Senator John Azuta-Mbata, following his acceptance of the role of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo. The group condemned his decision, stating that he neither consulted his kinsmen nor sought the approval of his community or kingdom.

In a statement released in Port Harcourt on Friday, and signed by its President-General, Godspower Onuekwa, and Secretary-General, Nyebuchi Philip, the organisation asserted that by assuming leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo—an exclusively Igbo socio-cultural group—Azuta-Mbata had effectively renounced his Ikwerre identity.

Rejection of Azuta-Mbata’s Decision

The statement emphasized that his acceptance of the role was a personal choice that did not reflect the collective stance of the Eneka community, the Apara Kingdom, or the broader Ikwerre ethnic group.

“The Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, representing the Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality in Rivers State, Nigeria, has thoroughly reviewed the sacrilegious action of Senator John Azuta-Mbata in assuming the position of President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo. We hereby declare, in clear and unmistakable terms, that:

1. Senator John Azuta-Mbata, like every Nigerian, has the constitutional right to associate with any group of his choosing, as provided under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

2. By accepting the presidency of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo—an organisation solely representing Igbo interests—he has willingly and unequivocally renounced his identity as an Ikwerre man (Iwhuruohna).

3. His actions do not reflect the collective opinion, aspirations, or position of the Eneka community, the Apara Kingdom, or the entire Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality.

4. Since he has voluntarily identified as an Igbo man by assuming leadership of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, the Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide categorically disowns and disassociates itself from his decision, which was made without the approval of his people.”

Consequences of His Decision

The organisation went further to describe Azuta-Mbata’s move as a “sacrilege” and declared that he would henceforth be regarded as an outsider in Ikwerre land. Additionally, all honors and traditional titles previously conferred upon him by any Ikwerre body have been revoked.