Ohanaeze Fires Back: Now We Know Why Wike Said Amaechi Has No Capacity

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide, an Igbo socio-cultural group, has harshly criticized former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, over his recent remarks distancing himself from the Igbo identity.

Amaechi, during a 2015 All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential rally in Aba, Abia State, had declared: “I am a bona fide Igbo man. My name is Amaechi. But President Jonathan, who claims the name Azikiwe, cannot even speak Igbo.”

However, in a recent interview on Arise Television, Amaechi reversed his stance, stating he is an Ikwerre man from Rivers State, and his earlier identification as Igbo was merely a political strategy to draw national attention to the marginalization of the Southeast.

Reacting to this, Okwu Nnabuike, National President of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Youth Council, released a strongly-worded statement on Friday. He condemned Amaechi’s inconsistency, labeling him as a politician lacking integrity and character.

“It is appalling that someone who presents himself as a people’s advocate could make such a disgraceful U-turn,” Nnabuike said. He warned Nigerians, especially political coalitions ahead of 2027, to be wary of Amaechi, echoing FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s earlier claim that Amaechi lacks capacity.

“We were stunned by his about-face on national television,” he continued. “This is the same man who, in 2015, attacked former President Jonathan’s Igbo identity to win votes in the Southeast. Now, a decade later, he admits to lying.”

Nnabuike added, “This is a textbook example of a politician willing to say anything to gain power. To now disown the Igbo identity he once embraced—just for political gain—exposes him as untrustworthy.”

He specifically cautioned Peter Obi and other Southeast leaders to avoid aligning with Amaechi, warning that “he is making a mockery of the Igbo people.”

“The Igbo nation does not need people like Amaechi,” he declared. “We know those who genuinely stand with us. When he comes back in 2027 seeking our support, we will remind him of this betrayal. Enough is enough.”