President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Mbata, has firmly stated that nothing will make him deny his Igbo heritage. Addressing recent criticisms directed at him, Mbata noted that such remarks come from those who do not fully understand his position.
Mbata made these remarks in Port Harcourt on Monday when a delegation from Opobo Elder Statesmen-4-Sim paid him a courtesy visit. He dismissed the negative comments against him, stating that they were mere distractions and reaffirming his commitment to uniting people and building relationships across ethnic lines.
He stated, “I see my responsibility as building bridges. We must connect our people to a much larger platform for development,” even as he reaffirmed his Igbo identity and the importance of unity among ethnic groups.
The Ohanaeze President-General said, “Some people say they are from Benin, that their ancestry is Benin. And I say, That’s fine. Let’s go there. We say that we have a relationship with the Igbo. I’m not going to deny my Igbo identity.
“Anyhow you like, talk from now till tomorrow; I’m not going to deny my ancestry.
“We are related. Why are you shouting me down? I bet you these things will just naturally die down. I didn’t answer anybody because I see my responsibility as building bridges. People will, by and large, understand what we are doing.
“We must operate at the highest stage of this Nigerian project. We have to be able to access the powers that be.
“We must enjoy support from another perspective. Politics is played from Abuja and not here. It’s when they finish from Abuja that they come here. I won’t say everything today. A word, they say, is enough for the wise.”
Earlier, the Chairman of Opobo Elder Statesmen-4-Sim, Edwin Cockeye-Brown, congratulated Mbata on his election as President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. He also praised him for standing by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara during difficult political times.
Cockeye-Brown said, “I recall particularly that during the impeachment attempt, you stood by the governor like a shining star. You supported him; you did not shake and you did not shy away.”
He further noted the strong historical ties between the Mbata family and the Opobo people, dating back to the late Elder Samuel Mbata, who was a respected religious leader and philanthropist.
The meeting, which included respected elders, leaders, and youth representatives from the Opobo kingdom, reflected a shared commitment to peace and unity in the state. Cockeye-Brown also acknowledged Mbata’s resilience, describing his leadership as divinely guided.
Similarly, Rivers State Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Livingstone Wechie, described the visit as significant, stating that it marked an important moment for the Ikwerre people and the larger Igbo community.
Wechie said, “This visit today is historic and prophetic. Ikwerre people will receive this with gladness.
“Today, we have the tallest Ikwerre son, both in height and stature, to be given this task to lead more than 100 million Ndigbo all over the world.
“This is the stone that the builders rejected, now the chief cornerstone,” he added, pledging continued support for Governor Fubara.
In his introduction of the delegation, Chief Lawrence Oko-Jaja, SAN, noted that they had come as a family and comrades to honor Mbata. He also acknowledged the importance of unity and collaboration, emphasizing Mbata’s integrity and dedication to his people.
