Ikwerre is not Igbo, group tells Ohanaeze

A socio-cultural body, Iwhnurohna Progressive Organization (IPO) from Rivers State, has expressed its belief in the oneness of Nigeria, suggesting that the different composite ethnic nationalities in the country be allowed to enjoy full self-determination to sustain the country’s unity.

The group also said that cultural influences should not be used to determine someone’s identity to signify the unity-in-diversity slogan often used in describing Nigeria.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the president of the group, Dr. Okachikwu Dibia, in reaction to the narrative in some quarters that the Ikwerre nationality is Igbo, dismissed the assertion, saying the former is an ethnically rooted nation of its own.

Recall that an apex body, Ohanaeze Ndi’ Igbo, through its former president, had on 22nd April 2024, referred to the Ikwerre people as Igbo, a development that has not gone down well with them.

According to Dibia, verifiable pieces of history and the innate character of a man speak for their ancestral affinity with the Ikwerre history, well written and properly documented as an independent ethnic nationality and not a subgroup under any other group of people.

IPO advised Ohanaeze and other Igbo groups to rather maintain good neighborliness to ensure the harmonious coexistence of all in society.

“All ethnic groups in Nigeria should respect their neighbors as distinct people instead of angling and making subtle desperate moves for unification for a political entity they will dominate and control.

“Domination breeds suspicion, suspicion breeds lack of trust, which in turn breeds agitation for freedom. Hence, it is very agonizing to successfully build a nation or state based on domination.”

Speaking further, the IPO president said that Ohanaeze has more serious issues to deal with in Nigeria than drumming war songs to capture Ikwerre.

“Igbo needs to seek the release of Nnamdi Kalu. Ohanaeze should seek the sixth state for the Igbos. Ohanaeze should organize themselves such that they can speak in one voice. They should be concerned about the abject level of underdevelopment of Igboland in Nigeria and support what Governor Otti is doing in Abia State,” he stated.

He advised Ohanaeze to advocate for the expansion and increase in the existing ports in Rivers, Cross River, and Delta States, which are closer to them than Lagos.

Speaking further, the group says it sees more peaceful development of Ndigbo through trade boom via the Ikwerre coastal belt, as the people will not hamper or frustrate Igbo traders’ ships from landing in Port Harcourt if respect is reciprocated.

He, therefore, urged the Igbo to stay and develop their five states and let Ikwerre be as “Ikwerre is not Igbo and will never be Igbo.”