The Ikwerre ethnic group in Rivers State has firmly rejected the assertion by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo that they are part of the Igbo ethnic group.
The group, represented by the Iwhnurohna Progressive Union (IPO), insists that they are a distinct ethnic nationality with their own identity, history, and culture.
During a media briefing in Abuja on Friday, the President of IPO, Dr. Okachikwu Dibia, stated that the Ikwerre people are facing harassment and threats from members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo for refusing to accept the label of “Igbo.”
“We, the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, are not Igbo,” Dibia declared.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and address the growing tension between the two groups. Dibia emphasized that some members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo had threatened the Ikwerre people, warning them of consequences if they continue to reject being classified as Igbo.
Dr. Dibia outlined eleven reasons why the Ikwerre people should not be classified as Igbo. These reasons, according to him, include linguistic, cultural, and historical differences between the two groups.
“While Ikwerre is our political name, Iwhnurohna is our native name,” Dibia explained. “Both names refer to the same people—the Ikwerre ethnic nationality found in Rivers State, which is part of the Niger Delta and the South-South geopolitical region of Nigeria.”
He continued by explaining that the claim that Ikwerre people originated from Igboland is false.
“When they say ‘Ikwerre is Igbo,’ they imply that all our ancestral communities originated from Igboland. This is simply not true,” Dibia asserted.
One of the main arguments used by Ohanaeze Ndigbo to claim that the Ikwerre people are Igbo is the similarity between the Ikwerre language and Igbo. However, Dr. Dibia argued that this linguistic connection is the result of historical interactions between the two groups and should not be used to determine ethnic identity.
“Language is a dynamic element of culture that can be influenced by historical interactions,” Dibia said. “Just because we have linguistic similarities does not mean that we share the same ethnic identity. We are a distinct people with our own heritage and traditions.”
He added that the Ikwerre people are proud of their unique identity and will continue to resist any attempts to classify them as Igbo.
Despite the ongoing dispute over ethnic classification, Dr. Dibia made it clear that the Ikwerre people believe in the unity of Nigeria. He stressed that their desire to assert their own ethnic identity does not mean they are against national unity.
“The Ikwerre ethnic nationality believes in one Nigeria,” Dibia stated. “We are Nigerians first, and we want to live in peace and harmony with all other ethnic groups.”
However, he warned that the continuous harassment and threats from certain members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo could escalate tensions in the region if not addressed by the authorities.
Dibia’s appeal to the Inspector-General of Police is based on the increasing pressure being exerted on the Ikwerre people to accept the Igbo label. According to him, members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo have made verbal threats, and there are concerns that these threats could lead to violence if not curbed.
“We are calling on the Inspector-General of Police to intervene in this matter before it gets out of hand,” Dibia said. “Our people are being harassed and threatened, and we fear that this could escalate into something more serious if the authorities do not take action.”
He urged the police to ensure the safety of the Ikwerre people and to take measures to prevent any potential conflict between them and the Igbo community.
The dispute between the Ikwerre people and Ohanaeze Ndigbo is not new. It has its roots in historical and cultural debates over the ethnic identity of the Ikwerre people.
Ikwerre is an ethnic group predominantly found in Rivers State, which is part of the Niger Delta region. Although their language shares some similarities with Igbo, the Ikwerre people have always maintained that they are a distinct ethnic group with their own unique identity.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural group representing the Igbo people, has long claimed that the Ikwerre people are part of the larger Igbo ethnic group. They argue that linguistic similarities and historical migrations suggest that the Ikwerre people are of Igbo origin.
However, the Ikwerre people have consistently rejected this classification, insisting that their history, culture, and political affiliations are separate from those of the Igbo.
The rejection of the Igbo label by the Ikwerre people has led to increased tensions between the two groups. Some members of Ohanaeze Ndigbo view the Ikwerre rejection as an affront to their identity and have responded with hostility.
The situation has been further complicated by political dynamics in Rivers State, where both Igbo and Ikwerre communities play significant roles. The struggle for ethnic recognition has become a sensitive issue, with political leaders and cultural groups often taking sides.
In recent years, there have been calls for dialogue and peaceful resolution of the dispute. However, the latest statements from IPO suggest that the issue remains unresolved, and the potential for further conflict looms.
