A recent statement by an Ohanaeze chieftain has sparked controversy, as he labeled individuals who deny their Igbo heritage as "cowards." This assertion was made in response to Rivers State's former governor, Nyesom Wike, who has consistently maintained that he is not an Igbo man, despite being an Ikwerre indigene ¹.
The Ohanaeze chieftain's statement was backed by Elder statesman Dr. Chike Obidigbo, who revealed that before the Biafra civil war, Ikwerre and Opobo people never denied their Igbo roots ¹. Obidigbo emphasized that these groups were always proud of their Igbo identity, and it was only recently that some individuals began to deny their heritage.
*The Ikwerre and Igbo Heritage Debate*
The Ikwerre people's relationship with their Igbo heritage has been a topic of discussion in recent times. While some, like Wike, deny any connection to the Igbo people, others, like Senator John Azuta-Mbata, proudly acknowledge their Igbo roots ¹.
The Iwhnurohna Progressive Organisation (IPO) has also weighed in on the debate, stating that the Ikwerre people are not Igbos and instead hail from Benin ². This assertion has been met with criticism from some quarters, with some arguing that it is an attempt to distance themselves from their Igbo heritage.
The debate surrounding the Ikwerre people's Igbo heritage highlights the complexities of identity and cultural affiliation in Nigeria. As the conversation continues, it remains to be seen how this issue will be resolved.
Tags:
- *Igbo Heritage Denial*
- *Wike's Igbo Identity*
- *Ohanaeze Chieftain's Statement*
- *Ikwerre People's Igbo Roots*
- *Nigerian Ethnic Identity Politics*
