The President-General of the Igbo socio-political organisation, ?Ohanaeze Ndigbo?, Senator John Mbata, has said nothing will ever deny his Igbo identity, describing recent criticisms against him as a lack of understanding.

This is why he emphasised his commitment to supporting the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, as well as respecting the office of the governor.

Mbata stated this when the Opobo Elder Statesmen-4-Sim paid him a courtesy visit in Port Harcourt on Monday.

He dismissed recent criticisms against him, saying they were noises from those lacking understanding.

He stated, ?I see my responsibility as building bridges. We must connect our people to a much larger platform for development,? even as he reaffirmed his Igbo identity and the importance of unity among ethnic groups.

The Ohanaeze President-General said, ?Some people say they are from Benin, that their ancestry is Benin. And I say, That?s fine. Let?s go there. We say that we have a relationship with the Igbo. I?m not going to deny my Igbo identity.

?Anyhow you like, talk from now till tomorrow; I?m not going to deny my ancestry.

?We are related. Why are you shouting me down? I bet you these things will just naturally die down. I didn?t answer anybody because I see my responsibility as building bridges. People will, by and large, understand what we are doing.

?We must operate at the highest stage of this Nigerian project. We have to be able to access the powers that be.

?We must enjoy support from another perspective. Politics is played from Abuja and not here. It?s when they finish from Abuja that they come here. I won?t say everything today. A word, they say, is enough for the wise.?

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 ?unwavering support? for the Rivers State Governor before, during and after his election.

Cockeye-Brown stated, ?I 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.?

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.

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.

?Your father was a prayerful man and a philanthropist. I believe it is his prayers that have enabled you to reach these heights,? he added.

Cockeye-Brown praised Mbata?s steadfastness during political challenges, affirming that his election as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo was divinely ordained.

In his remarks, the Rivers State Chairman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Livingstone Wechie, lauded the visit as historic, celebrating Senator Mbata?s leadership role for over one hundred million Ndigbo worldwide.

Weche said, ?This visit today is historic and prophetic. Ikwerre people will receive this with gladness.

?Today, 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.

?This is the stone that the builders rejected, now the chief cornerstone,? Wechie remarked, pledging continued support for Governor Fubara.

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.

Oko-Jaja highlighted Senator Mbata?s integrity and commitment to advancing the interests of his Ikwerre people both locally and internationally.

The delegation expressed their eagerness to work together to promote peace, development, and cultural heritage, reinforcing their belief that under Senator Mbata?s guidance, Ohaneze Ndigbo will continue to thrive and serve as a strong voice for his people. (The PUNCH)

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