Former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Osita Chidoka, has expressed support for the recent statement by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, distancing himself from Igbo identity.
Wike, during a media chat in Abuja, had clarified that he is an Ikwerre man and has no affiliation with the Igbo sociocultural group Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Wike’s comments came in response to questions regarding the emergence of Senator John Azuta Mbata, an Ikwerre man, as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. The former Rivers State governor categorically stated that he has never been a member of Ohanaeze nor identified with the group.
“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 recognized,” Wike asserted.
Reacting to Wike’s remarks, Chidoka, in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday, urged critics to respect Wike’s decision to affirm his identity.
“Anyone who says he is not Igbo is not Igbo. Igbo is not only an ethnic identity; it is also a way of life,” Chidoka stated.
He elaborated on the cultural and ethical values associated with being Igbo, emphasizing that Igbo identity transcends mere geography or proclamation.
“Igbo is about respect for truth in the face of personal loss, discretion in word and conduct, loyalty to community and benefactors, and respect for wealth from enterprise.
“The Igbo instinctively frown upon avarice, disrespect for people – big and small, and the concept of a one-man show. So, if Nyesom Wike says he is not Igbo, I agree with him. There is no need to argue because Igbo is beyond proclamation and geography; it is also a set of attributes and lived experiences. I am Igbo,” Chidoka concluded.
The statement has sparked diverse reactions, with some commending Chidoka’s perspective on the deeper essence of Igbo identity and others debating the cultural and historical links between the Ikwerre people and the Igbo.
