The President-General of the Igbo socio-political organisation, \u2018Ohanaeze Ndigbo\u2019, Senator John Mbata, has said nothing will ever deny his Igbo identity, describing recent criticisms against him as a lack of understanding.<\/p>\n
This is why he emphasised his commitment to supporting the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as well as respecting the office of the governor.<\/p>\n
Mbata stated this when the\u00a0Opobo Elder Statesmen-4-Sim paid him a courtesy visit in Port Harcourt on Monday.<\/p>\n
He dismissed recent criticisms against him, saying they were noises from those lacking understanding.<\/p>\n
He stated, \u201cI see my responsibility as building bridges. We must connect our people to a much larger platform for development,\u201d even as he reaffirmed his Igbo identity and the importance of unity among ethnic groups.<\/p>\n
The Ohanaeze President-General said, \u201cSome people say they are from Benin, that their ancestry is Benin. And I say, That\u2019s fine. Let\u2019s go there. We say that we have a relationship with the Igbo. I\u2019m not going to deny my Igbo identity.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnyhow you like, talk from now till tomorrow; I\u2019m not going to deny my ancestry.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are related.\u00a0 Why are you shouting me down? I bet you these things will just naturally die down. I didn\u2019t answer anybody because I see my responsibility as building bridges. People will, by and large, understand what we are doing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must operate at the highest stage of this Nigerian project. We have to be able to access the powers that be.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must enjoy support from another perspective. Politics is played from Abuja and not here. It\u2019s when they finish from Abuja that they come here. I won\u2019t say everything today. A word, they say, is enough for the wise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Earlier, the Chairman of Opobo Elder Statesmen-4-Sim, Edwin Cockeye-Brown, congratulated the new President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo on his electoral victory and expressed gratitude to him for his \u201cunwavering support\u201d for the Rivers State Governor before, during and after his election.<\/p>\n
Cockeye-Brown stated, \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n
He highlighted the long-standing relationship between the Mbata family and the Opobo people, tracing it back to his father, the late Elder Samuel Mbata, a revered gentleman and evangelist.<\/p>\n
Cockeye-Brown further said the gathering, which included some Alapu, respected elders, leaders, Senibos, Amaopusenibos, and youth representatives from the Opobo kingdom, underscored the collective commitment to unity within the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour father was a prayerful man and a philanthropist. I believe it is his prayers that have enabled you to reach these heights,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Cockeye-Brown praised Mbata\u2019s steadfastness during political challenges, affirming that his election as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was divinely ordained.<\/p>\n
In his remarks, the Rivers State Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Livingstone Wechie, lauded the visit as historic, celebrating Senator Mbata\u2019s leadership role for over one hundred million Ndigbo worldwide.<\/p>\n
Weche said, \u201cThis visit today is historic and prophetic. Ikwerre people will receive this with gladness.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday, we have the tallest Ikwerre son, both in height and stature, to be given this task to lead more than one 100 million Ndigbo all over the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is the stone that the builders rejected, now the chief cornerstone,\u201d Wechie remarked, pledging continued support for Governor Fubara.<\/p>\n
Earlier, while introducing the delegation to the visit, Chief Lawrence Oko-Jaja, SAN, said they had come as a family and comrade to pay a courtesy visit to Senator John Azuta Mbata, emphasizing the importance of unity and collaboration among communities.<\/p>\n
Oko-Jaja highlighted Senator Mbata\u2019s integrity and commitment to advancing the interests of his Ikwerre people both locally and internationally.<\/p>\n
The delegation expressed their eagerness to work together to promote peace, development, and cultural heritage, reinforcing their belief that under Senator Mbata\u2019s guidance, Ohaneze Ndigbo will continue to thrive and serve as a strong voice for his people.<\/p>\n
The President-General of the Igbo socio-political organisation, \u2018Ohanaeze Ndigbo\u2019, Senator John Mbata, has said nothing will ever deny his Igbo identity, describing recent criticisms against him as a lack of…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":116236,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-116235","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n