The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reiterated that he is not an Igbo man, emphasizing his identity as an Ikwerre man.
Wike made this declaration during a media chat in Abuja on Sunday while addressing the emergence of John Azuta Mbata as the new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Azuta Mbata was recently elected as Ohanaeze’s President-General in Imo State, succeeding Fidelis Nze Chukwu, who completed his tenure after the demise of the former President-General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Commenting on Mbata’s election and his stance on Igbo identity, Wike stated “I’m an Ikwerre man, not an Igbo man. I don’t have a problem with Igbo people. Azuta Mbata has the right to associate with anybody. I’m an unrepentant Ikwerre man, and I’m not a member of Ohanaeze.
“I will never, for anything, deny my identity just to be recognised.”
Meanwhile, the FCT Minister spokesman, Lere Olayinka, has dismissed rumors suggesting that the minister was flown to London for medical attention. Olayinka criticized the baseless claims, pointing out that Wike was actively engaged in official duties in Abuja on Friday.
In a Facebook post, Olayinka ridiculed the rumors, stating, “They are saying that the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, was rushed to London for medical attention on Thursday night. They are even quoting time and Aircraft Number.
“Issorite! Sebi Wike was flown to London on Thursday night for urgent medical treatment and he used Witchcraft to come back on Friday to visit Dape Community in Life Camp area, Gishiri and Pigba Sama communities in Abuja on Friday.
“The Minister will also use Witchcraft to come back to Abuja on Monday to start commissioning road projects.
“People who have not done any medical check-up in the last ten years, jumping up and down on the health of a Minister that is seen everyday, doing his job. Make una KONTINU.”
