The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated that he is not an Igbo man, emphasising his identity as an Ikwerre man.
Wike made this declaration during a media chat in Abuja on Sunday while addressing the emergence of John Mbata as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Mbata was recently elected as Ohanaeze’s President-General in Imo State, succeeding Fidelis Chukwu, who completed his tenure after the demise of the former President-General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Commenting on Mbata’s election and his stance on Igbo identity, Wike stated: “I’m an Ikwerre man, not an Igbo man. I don’t have a problem with Igbo people. 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.”
Wike stressed said just the way every northerner cannot be described as Hausa, the Ikwerres who live in the same region as the Igbos, should not also be called Igbos.