Ikwerre apex organization strips Azuta-Mbata of titles for accepting Ohaneze-Ndigbo leadership

The Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide, the apex socio-cultural body of the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, has revoked all honours, recognitions, and titles previously conferred on Senator John Azuta-Mbata, following his emergence as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The group described Azuta-Mbata’s decision to accept the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo as a grave violation of Ikwerre cultural values and identity. Consequently, he has been barred from participating in any activities within Ikwerreland, including community meetings and political representation, starting from his hometown, Eneka, in the Apara Kingdom.
In a statement signed by the President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre, Eze Barr. Godspower Onuekwain, the organisation declared Azuta-Mbata a “total stranger” in Ikwerreland for aligning himself with a socio-cultural organisation exclusively representing the Igbo people of Nigeria.
The statement reads:
“Senator John Azuta-Mbata has the inalienable right to associate freely as guaranteed by Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. However, by becoming the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, he has effectively renounced his membership and identity as an Ikwerre (Iwhuruohna) son.”
The group stressed that Azuta-Mbata’s decision to contest and assume the Ohanaeze Ndigbo presidency was not supported by his community, Eneka, the Apara Kingdom, or the broader Ikwerre ethnic nationality.
“Having freely chosen to identify as an Igbo man and assume the role of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organisation Worldwide unreservedly denounces and disclaims his actions. This decision was made without the consent of his community, kingdom, and Iwhuruohna,” the statement added.
As a result of his actions, Azuta-Mbata has been prohibited from participating in any gatherings, meetings, or political activities within Ikwerreland, while all honours and titles previously conferred on him by Ikwerre organisations have been withdrawn.
The Ogbakor Ikwerre called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, traditional rulers, and the international community to note that Azuta-Mbata no longer represents or speaks for the Ikwerre ethnic nationality.
The statement concluded by declaring Azuta-Mbata’s allegiance to Ohanaeze Ndigbo a betrayal of Ikwerre identity, effectively severing his ties to the land and its people.