Ohanaeze Criticizes Amaechi Over ‘Not Igbo’ Remark, References Wike’s Past Comment
Rotimi Amaechi, the former governor of Rivers State, has come under fire from the Igbo socio-cultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide for his latest statement that his previous claim to be Igbo was only a political ruse.
Recall that in 2015, Amaechi declared, “I am a bona fide Igbo man,” in front of a multitude of supporters during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign in Aba, Abia State. President Jonathan claims to be Azikiwe, but he is unable to speak Igbo. My name is Amaechi.
In an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Tuesday, after a decade, Amaechi refuted the previous claim, claiming to be an Ikwerre guy from Rivers State.
The former Transportation Minister claims that he identified with the Igbo people in order to get Nigerians to respond to the Southeast’s complaints of marginalization.
In a statement released to reporters on Friday, Okwu Nnabuike, the National President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, responded to the comment by saying it is evident that Amaechi is among the unprincipled Nigerian politicians.
It was unfortunate, according to Nnabuike, that someone who today presents himself as a supporter of the masses and a lover of Nigerians could display such a public display of humiliation.
Ahead of the 2027 election, he also warned Nigerians and anybody who supports the coalition to be wary of Amaechi, emphasizing that they have seen that he lacks the ability, as expressed by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“We were completely taken aback by Rotimi Amaechi’s complete reversal on national television,” he remarked.
This is the same man who, in 2015, said that former President Goodluck Jonathan was not an Igbo man because Amaechi required Ndigbo votes for his party, the APC.
“Now, ten years later, in 2025, the same individual has admitted to lying to Nigerians.
This demonstrates unequivocally that Amaechi is a man who will stop at nothing to further his political agenda and will say or do anything to achieve his goals.
How do we account for the fact that someone who publicly identified himself as an Igbo guy ten years ago now brazenly tells the world that he done so for political reasons?
This demonstrates unequivocally that he belongs to the group of politicians who lack moral fiber and think that everything in politics is fair.
In particular, we caution Mr. Peter Obi against dealing with such an individual. He shouldn’t be perceived as hanging out with a man who is making fun of Ndigbo.
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We can now understand why Nyesom Wike stated unequivocally that Amaechi lacks capacity. Such a person is not to be trusted.
“How can such a man possess ability when he leads a life of betrayal and lies to obtain what he desires?
But we want Amaechi and his kind to know that Ndigbo are not seeking individuals like him. We have a few authentic Igbo men and women, and we can recognize them when we see them.
We’re waiting for Amaechi to visit any South-East state in 2027 so he can start telling lies. We are aware that he will undoubtedly require Ndigbo once more, so we will notify him when it is opportune. We say never again because we’ve had enough of individuals like him.
