The apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, has strongly condemned former minister Rotimi Amaechi over his recent statement that his previous claim of being Igbo was merely political posturing.

The controversy stems from Amaechi's contradictory statements about his ethnic identity. During the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign in Aba, Abia State in 2015, Amaechi had declared: "I am a bonafide Igbo man. My name is Amaechi but President Jonathan, who says his name is Azikiwe, cannot speak the Igbo language."

However, in a recent interview on Arise Television's Prime Time, the former Rivers State governor reversed his position, stating that he is an Ikwerre man from Rivers State. He admitted that he had only associated himself with the Igbo people to draw attention to the marginalization complaints from the Southeast.

Ohanaeze Youth Council's Response

Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, described Amaechi's reversal as "a shameless and treacherous character" display.

"We were shocked to the marrow to listen to Rotimi Amaechi make such a U-turn on national television," Okwu stated in a press release issued on Friday.

"This is the same man who accused former President Goodluck Jonathan of not being an Igbo man, simply because he (Amaechi) needed the votes of Ndigbo for his party, the APC in 2015. Fast forward to 2025, the same man, 10 years later, has now told Nigerians that he lied to them," he added.

The Ohanaeze youth leader emphasized that Amaechi's actions demonstrate he is "a man who can do anything for politics; who can say anything just to get what he wants politically."

Warning to Political Allies

Okwu specifically cautioned Mr. Peter Obi against associating with Amaechi, stating: "He should not be seen to be associating with a man who is making a caricature of Ndigbo. Such a person is not to be trusted and we now see why Nyesom Wike clearly said that Amaechi has no capacity."

The statement also warned that Ndigbo would never be taken for granted, with a specific message for Amaechi regarding the upcoming 2027 elections: "We are waiting for Amaechi in 2027 when he will come to any state in the South-East to open his lies-filled mouth. He will hear from us at the appropriate time, because we know he shall surely need Ndigbo again."

Okwu concluded with a firm declaration that Ndigbo have "had enough from people like him and we say never again."

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions within Nigerian politics regarding ethnic identity and representation, particularly as political alignments begin to form ahead of the 2027 general elections.