Ohanaeze Presidency: Rivers chapter threatens to boycott election

The Indigenous Igbo in Rivers State (IIC) has threatened to boycott the apex Igbo Socio-Cultural Organisation’s election, scheduled for January 10, if their demand to allow only recognised and registered Igbo members to contest the prestigious Ohaneze Ndigbo presidency position is not considered.

The group also warned that it will be difficult to unite the entire Igbo indigenes in Rivers State, comprising the Ekpeyes, Ndoni, Ndoki, Egbema, Opopo, among others, with the central Igbo in the South-East region if Ohaneze Ndigbo fails to hearken to their plea.

The group specifically opposed the candidacy of Mike Okiro, a former Inspector General of Police (IGP), saying he is not a registered member of Igbo communities in Rivers State.

Speaking in Port Harcourt on Monday, President of IIC, Chimenu Amadi, said that Ohanaeze Ndigbo should not foist anyone on them but should allow them to decide who takes the prestigious position.

“We have contestants who are members of the Indigenous Igbo Community, except for the candidacy of Mike Okiro. He is not our member,” he said.

“If you are an Indigenous Igbo of Rivers State, you should be a member of IIC. If you are not a member, then you are disqualified for the election. IIC is the body housing the entire Igbo indigenes of Rivers, including the Ekpeyes, Ndoni, Ndoki, Egbema, and Opopo. If you are not a member, it means you are not with us.

“We are saying that those who are with us should be given a level playing ground to contest the election without bias. Those not with us should be disqualified.”

Similarly, the Vice President of the group, Okere Azubuike, said that the Igbos in Rivers have done a lot to support and associate with the central Igbos and urged Ohaneze not to foist anyone on them.

“Our demand is that they should allow Rivers people to decide who leads Ohaneze Ndigbo.”

This is as an Ikwerre ethnic nationality, known as the ‘Iwhuruohna’, comprising the Ikwerre Local Government Area (IKLGA), Emohua (EMOLGA), Obio-Akpor (OBALGA), and Port Harcourt City (PHALGA), distanced themselves from claims that they are Igbos.

The group, in a statement signed by the Chairman, Supreme Council of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, Eze Leslie Nyebuchi Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka, Nyerisi Eli Woji (EzeWoji XII), and Secretary of the group, HRH Eze Ben O. Ugo, among others, said that though the Ikweres share some similarities between Iwhuruohna and their neighbours, including the Igbo, in aspects of culture and traditions, this does not validate the unverified claims that Iwhuruohna is Igbo, as being peddled by some persons.

The monarch maintained that Iwhuruohna remains a homogeneous ethnic group with a common ancestry and paternity from Rivers State and the Niger Delta region.

Eke said the theory of origins linking Iwhuruohna ethnicity to Igbo ancestry was ill-conceived as a result of the balkanization and “Igbonization” of Iwhuruohna by Igbo merchants.

He explained, “Iwhuruohna people migrated from the Ancient Benin Kingdom during the reign of Oba Ewuare (Ogwaro). Our paternity is traceable to a great-grand ancestor – AKALAKA, who left the Ancient Benin Kingdom in the company of his sons, which included IHRUOHA (IWHURUOHNA).

“We call on the general public and the Governor and Government of Rivers State to be wary of the tricks and pranks of the Igbo expansionists in the nomenclature of ‘Ohaneze Ndigbo’ and their activities in Rivers State.”

The group vowed to continue to associate with and revere its paternity to the Ancient Benin Kingdom in honour of its ancestors.