By Emeka Oraetoka
Senator John Azuta-Mbata was elected President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide on January 10, 2025 at the Ohanaeze Ndigbo General Assembly meeting held at the Old Government Lodge in Enugu State, Nigeria.
He succeeded Nze Ozichukwu Fidelis Chukwu, who had been appointed to complete the tenure of the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
The build up to Mbata’s election as Ohanaeze President, was at best, untidy. The frontrunner in that election, former Inspector General of Police, Sir, Mike Okiro (Ochiagha) was disqualified with non existent court order, thereby paving the way for John Mbata to cruise to victory.
Before the election, there was controversy whether Ikwerres, in Rivers State are Igbo ethnic group. While some people insist Ikwerres are Igbo, others vehemently opposed being addressed as such.
This writer thinks, the Igbo identity controversy of Ikwerres in Rivers State, would not have come up, if Sir Mike Okiro, from Egbema, in the same Rivers State was not schemed out by those probably projecting other candidate(s).
Ohanaeze Ndigbo is supposed to be a socio cultural organisation, as such, it harbours every Igbo person, irrespective of political affiliation. In Ohanaeze, everyone is protected, regardless of which zone he comes from, in so far, he is Igbo.
Both Senator John Azuta Mbata, and Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (CON) are illustrous sons of Ikwerre, no doubt about that.
Wike is under attack from Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General, his senior brother, supposedly over political differences. Mbata has even gone personal, in attacking Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. First, Senator Mbata said that Rivers State has only one Governor, this was interpreted to mean that Wike should not equate himself to the Governor of the state as Siminalayi Fubara is the only Governor. He went personal by saying that Wike used to wash his car before. Apparently, implying that Wike is junior or a small boy to him. It was said that he, Mbata made Wike the Chairman of Obi-Akpor local government area in the State. These statements, to this writer, should not have emanated from the revered President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. Even if Senator Mbata has personal issues with Wike, he should have, in the interest of the office he is occupying, avoided personal confrontation with Wike.
Now that Senator Mbata has gone personal, isn’t it safe to say that he was motivated by political interest, rather than love for Rivers State?
What will those supporters of Wike, in Ohanaeze, say in this war of word between Senator Mbata and Nyesom Wike? Will they be seen as trying to set the organisation ablaze, if they react in proportionate manner to Senator Mbata or even call for his resignation as President of Ohanaeze? How will those members of Ohanaeze, who will like the body to remain a socio cultural organisation react to Senator Mbata’s obvious political voyage in Rivers State?
Here is what my research about Ohanaeze revealed: “The late Prof. George Obiozor, who served as President-General of Ọhanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide from 2021 until his death on December 26, 2022, consistently described the organization as a socio-cultural body, not a political one.
Ọhanaeze Ndigbo is widely recognized as an apex Igbo socio-cultural organization aimed at promoting unity, cultural preservation, and the welfare of Igbo communities in Nigeria and the diaspora. Reliable sources, and official statements, emphasize that while it advocates for Igbo interests—including in national politics—it is not a political party and remains non-partisan. For instance:
During Obiozor’s tenure, statements from the organization described it as “a socio-cultural organisation designed to provide a platform where Ndigbo come together for nurturing better understanding and harmonious relations”.
Obiozor himself noted that Ọhanaeze “does not wax eloquent on partisan politics” because Igbos are active across all political parties, focusing instead on broader national issues affecting the Igbo (as in a 2023 message attributed to the organization under his leadership).
Although Ọhanaeze often engages in political advocacy (e.g., pushing for restructuring, equity, or Igbo presidency), this does not make it a political organization. This referenced statement aligns with how Obiozor and the group positioned themselves: socio-cultural at its core, with political commentary as a means to advance Igbo interests within Nigeria’s unity”.
There could be deeper reason(s ) behind Senator Mbata’s unprovoked attacks on Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. It is getting clear that the reason Sir Mike Okiro was not allowed to become the President of Ohanaeze, was because he will not allow himself to be used for political ends by any interests in the State. But which interests installed Senator Mbata as Ohanaeze President? Without beating an eyelids, it was the interest that is opposed to Wike in State. Interests outside Rivers State could also be angling to to divide Ikwerre, in order to weaken Wike acceptance in Rivers State. Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s influence on Senator Mbata could be smelt here. Of recent, the feud between Wike and his god-son, Governor Siminalayi Fubara seems to have been rekindled. Clearly, Senator Mbata seems to have been procured by Governor Siminalayi Fubara to attack Wike. The twin attacks on Wike from both men is eloquent testimony to this fact.
Senator John Azuta Mbata, should be made to understand that the founding fathers of Ohanaeze set the organisation up as socio-cultural one, and not a partisan entity. Late George Obiozor, a former President of Ohanaeze make it very clear above. If Senator Mbata is interested in playing politics in Rivers State, the best for him is to resign as the President of the body.
*Emeka Oraetoka, is an Information and Perception Management Consultant.
Wrote in from Abuja.
E-mail: giltsdaimension@gmail.com.
