AdminBy Tony Onyima
Nyesom Wike has once again stirred the hornet’s nest. The former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is no stranger to controversy. His recent declaration that he is not Igbo and will never identify as one has reopened an age-old debate on the identity of the Ikwerre people and the larger politics of identity in Rivers State.
For Wike, whose political career thrives on bravado and polarising statements, this is another opportunity to assert his ideological stance, one tied to the historical complexities and sensitivities surrounding the Ikwerre ethnic group. However, Wike’s pronouncement raises fundamental questions: Who are the Ikwerre? How does their identity intersect with the larger Igbo ethnic group? And what does this mean for identity politics in Rivers State?
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe Ikwerre people are a sub-group within the Eastern Niger Delta, predominantly inhabiting areas now classified as part of Rivers State. Historically, anthropological and linguistic evidence suggests that the Ikwerre share significant cultural and historical ties with the Igbo. Linguists have noted that the Ikwerre language is a dialect of the Igbo language, with overlapping lexical items and syntax. Oral histories reinforce this connection, pointing to migratory patterns from the Igbo heartland to the Niger Delta. These connections are consistent with the broader migration narratives of many ethnic groups in southern Nigeria.
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However, the political and socio-cultural dynamics of the Niger Delta have contributed to a deliberate distancing of the Ikwerre from their Igbo roots. This divergence was exacerbated during the Nigeria-Biafra War (1967–1970), when the Nigerian government, in its strategy to isolate Biafra, sought to highlight and reinforce the separateness of ethnic groups within the Eastern Region. The creation of Rivers State in 1967 institutionalised this division, with ethnic minorities, including the Ikwerre, being positioned as distinct from the larger Igbo group. Over time, local elites leveraged this distinction to consolidate political power, a practice that continues to fuel identity politics in the region.
Wike’s recent statement is particularly jarring in light of the election of Senator Azuka Mbata, an Ikwerre indigene, as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation representing the Igbo. Senator Mbata’s election underscores the undeniable historical and cultural ties between the Ikwerre and the Igbo. Ohanaeze’s leadership choice reflects a recognition of the Ikwerre as part of the broader Igbo cultural and political framework. Therefore, Wike’s rejection of Igbo identity appears to stand at odds with this collective acknowledgement.
Senator Mbata’s election is not an anomaly; it is a testament to the fluidity of identity and the shared heritage that unites the Ikwerre and the Igbo. His role at the helm of Ohanaeze challenges the rhetoric of separateness and serves as a reminder that cultural and historical ties often transcend political manoeuvring. The identity question in Rivers State is deeply entrenched in its political history. Since the creation of the state, there has been an underlying tension between groups that identify with the broader Niger Delta struggle and those with cultural or historical affiliations to the Igbo. The fear of marginalisation by the larger Igbo ethnic group has led many ethnic minorities, including the Ikwerre, to embrace a distinct identity. This was institutionalised by the government and reinforced by local elites, who found political capital in advancing a narrative of uniqueness and separateness.
In Rivers State, this political capital has been instrumentalised to consolidate power. The ascendancy of the Ikwerre ethnic group, with successive governors like Rotimi Amaechi and Nyesom Wike hailing from the area, has further heightened the stakes. While the Ikwerre have dominated the state’s political landscape, their leaders have often utilised the rhetoric of distinction to maintain political leverage. The current fight between Wike and Fubara has its roots in this ideology. For Wike, denying his Igbo roots is not just a personal statement; it is a calculated move to solidify his standing among the Rivers people, especially those who view Igbo identity as a threat to their autonomy.
Wike’s rejection of Igbo identity must be understood within the context of his broader political strategy. By denying his Igbo roots, Wike positions himself as a champion of Rivers and Niger Delta exceptionalism. This rhetoric resonates with a segment of Rivers people who see themselves as victims of Igbo expansionism or marginalisation. Moreover, it aligns with Wike’s combative political style, which thrives on polarisation and identity politics.
However, Wike’s stance is riddled with contradictions. His tenure as governor of Rivers State saw him frequently rely on alliances with Igbo political leaders and cultural symbols to assert his influence. For instance, his overtures to the people of Abia, Anambra, and Imo during political campaigns reflected a pragmatic acknowledgement of shared historical and cultural ties. The election of Senator Azuka Mbata as Ohanaeze President General further complicates Wike’s narrative, as it directly challenges the notion of Ikwerre separateness.
While Wike’s rhetoric may serve his political interests, identity transcends political declarations. Political boundaries or pronouncements do not easily erase genetic, linguistic, and cultural markers. The Ikwerre people, despite decades of political alienation, share undeniable ties with the Igbo. These ties are evident in their language, traditional practices, and even names, many of which bear Igbo origins. Efforts to rewrite this history, whether by Wike (read Nwaike) or others, are attempts to superimpose political expediency on cultural and historical realities.
The identity question in Rivers State should not be reduced to a zero-sum game. The region’s diversity is its strength, and efforts to emphasize separateness often ignore the interconnectedness of its people. Leaders like Wike must recognize that identity is multi-layered and that denying historical and cultural truths only deepens divisions. Rather than weaponizing identity for political gain, there is a need for a more inclusive narrative that acknowledges shared histories while celebrating unique identities.
For the Ikwerre, embracing their Igbo roots does not undermine their Niger Delta identity. Instead, it provides an opportunity to bridge divides and foster unity in a region that has suffered from decades of exploitation and neglect. O is a powerful reminder of the ties that bind. Wike’s statement, though controversial, should catalyze deeper conversations about identity, history, and belonging in Rivers State. Only through such conversations can the region move beyond the politics of exclusion to build a more inclusive and united future.
Dr. Onyima, a public policy analyst and a Fellow of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, writes from Umuoji
