The Ikwerre ethnic nationality in Rivers State, represented by the Iwhnurohna Progressive Union (IPO), has rejected the assertion from Ohanaeze Ndigbo that they are part of the Igbo ethnic group, stating that they are facing harassment as a result.
During a media briefing in Abuja, the President of IPO, Dr Okachikwu Dibia, appealed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, to intervene and address threats made by prominent Ohanaeze Ndigbo members against the Ikwerre people if they continue to reject the Igbo label.
He outlined 11 reasons-encompassing linguistic, historical and cultural differences-why Ikwerre should not be classified as Igbo.
“While Ikwerre is our political name, Iwhnurohna is our native name. Both refer to the same people: the Ikwerre ethnic nationality, found in Rivers State, Niger Delta, South South geopolitical region of Nigeria.
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“When they say ‘Ikwerre is Igbo,’ they imply that all ancestral communities in Ikwerre originated from Igboland. This is not true,” Dibia said.
He further explained that the claim that Iwhnurohna is Igbo, based on their language, is rooted in historical interactions and should not determine their ethnic identity.
“The Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality believes in one Nigeria,” he concluded.
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