The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has firmly stated his identity as an Ikwerre man, distancing himself from being classified as Igbo.
Wike made the declaration on Sunday during a media chat in Abuja, while commenting on the recent emergence of John Azuta Mbata as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Azuta Mbata was elected to the position in Imo State a few weeks ago, following the passing of the former President-General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and the conclusion of Fidelis Nze Chukwu’s interim leadership.
Addressing the development, Wike emphasized his unshakable connection to his Ikwerre heritage.
“I’m an Ikwerre man, not an Igbo man. I don’t have a problem with Igbo people,” Wike clarified. “Azuta Mbata has the right to associate with anybody. I’m an unrepentant Ikwerre man, and I’m not a member of Ohanaeze. I will never, for anything, deny my identity just to be recognised.”
His comments underline a clear distinction between Ikwerre and Igbo identities, a topic that has often been a subject of discourse in Nigeria’s sociopolitical landscape.
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