₦airaland Forum

jerseyboy:
Ikwere People Are Not Igbo —Andy Wabali.
By Victor Ajihromanus

An opinion leader in the Niger Delta, Mr. Andy Wabali, has clarified that the Ikwere of Rivers State, are not Igbo irrespective of language similarities.
He also said it is wrong to describe the Ikwere as Igbo, saying the ethnic group is distinct from the Igbo ethnic group.
In a chat with Vanguard, Wabali, backed his argument with contemporary examples in the country.
His words: “Clearly, the Ikwere in Rivers State which I am one of them are a very distinct people. We are very different from the Igbo. Yes, there are similarities in language but that does not make us Igbo.

We bear Igbo names like Nnamdi, which has no meaning in my language for instance, when the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the President, some of our people were given the names. Even Goodluck J
“That does not make him Igbo. My people are not Igbo. Culturally, we are different. We might be in the same language group, but that does not make us Igbo. Don’t forget that Igbo language was a language of trade just like the Hausa and Yoruba languages that were used as trading languages in the past. People might be describing us as Igbo, but that is an error because we are different from Igbo.

For instance, in the United Kingdom, the Scottish people are not English, the Irish are not English but they all speak English. In Belgium, the Belgians are not French but they speak French. [/b]Because most people do not read, they take everything they hear hook line and sinker. Most Nigerians do not read. There is intellectual laziness even on the part of our historians. Some just generalize and write reports that can’t be substantiated. [b]We belong to the language group that cut across the Bight of Benin and even Southern Africa.

“We are Ikwere people. We are distinct in culture and many areas. Our distinctiveness can be seen in our kinship and anthropology. When people talk about dialects, there are no dialects of English language. So the issue of dialect does not come in. The French language is embedded in English just the way the German language is embedded in English, but these are two different nationalities with different identities. Since Igbo is a language of trade, it is widely spoken just like the Hausa language.

Today, we even have a wrong coinage, Hausa-Fulani, but there is nothing like Hausa-Fulani. You are either Hausa or Fulani. In the Niger Delta, we have a lot of ethnic nationalities. The Urhobo and Isoko are two different ethnic groups. There languages are similar but they are not the same ethnic group. Isoko people are Isoko people while the Urhobo people are Urhobo. It is in that same manner that Ikwere people are Ikwere while Igbo are Igbo.”


(Vanguard)

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/11/ikwere-people-not-igbo-says-wabali/

jerseyboy:
Ikwere People Are Not Igbo —Andy Wabali.
By Victor Ajihromanus

An opinion leader in the Niger Delta, Mr. Andy Wabali, has clarified that the Ikwere of Rivers State, are not Igbo irrespective of language similarities.
He also said it is wrong to describe the Ikwere as Igbo, saying the ethnic group is distinct from the Igbo ethnic group.
In a chat with Vanguard, Wabali, backed his argument with contemporary examples in the country.
His words: “Clearly, the Ikwere in Rivers State which I am one of them are a very distinct people. We are very different from the Igbo. Yes, there are similarities in language but that does not make us Igbo.

We bear Igbo names like Nnamdi, which has no meaning in my language for instance, when the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the President, some of our people were given the names. Even Goodluck J
“That does not make him Igbo. My people are not Igbo. Culturally, we are different. We might be in the same language group, but that does not make us Igbo. Don’t forget that Igbo language was a language of trade just like the Hausa and Yoruba languages that were used as trading languages in the past. People might be describing us as Igbo, but that is an error because we are different from Igbo.

For instance, in the United Kingdom, the Scottish people are not English, the Irish are not English but they all speak English. In Belgium, the Belgians are not French but they speak French. [/b]Because most people do not read, they take everything they hear hook line and sinker. Most Nigerians do not read. There is intellectual laziness even on the part of our historians. Some just generalize and write reports that can’t be substantiated. [b]We belong to the language group that cut across the Bight of Benin and even Southern Africa.

“We are Ikwere people. We are distinct in culture and many areas. Our distinctiveness can be seen in our kinship and anthropology. When people talk about dialects, there are no dialects of English language. So the issue of dialect does not come in. The French language is embedded in English just the way the German language is embedded in English, but these are two different nationalities with different identities. Since Igbo is a language of trade, it is widely spoken just like the Hausa language.

Today, we even have a wrong coinage, Hausa-Fulani, but there is nothing like Hausa-Fulani. You are either Hausa or Fulani. In the Niger Delta, we have a lot of ethnic nationalities. The Urhobo and Isoko are two different ethnic groups. There languages are similar but they are not the same ethnic group. Isoko people are Isoko people while the Urhobo people are Urhobo. It is in that same manner that Ikwere people are Ikwere while Igbo are Igbo.”


(Vanguard)

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/11/ikwere-people-not-igbo-says-wabali/

ProfAmaben:
[s][/s]


Nobody cares. Everyone should be on their own. I hate Ikwerre people with passion. Lazy cultists. Spits.

jerseyboy:
Please tell that to that know-it-all Nnamdi Kanu.

gidgiddy:
Im a bit confused here. The same Andy Wabali said that Ikwerres are Igbos in the video below. Or are there two different Andi Wabali?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdkLJoj_SAk&t=894s

jerseyboy:
Why is Ijesha INSIDE the South West and Ikwere INSIDE the South South and Ikweres seemed ever to be happy about it?
Ikweres are not Igbo. Anioma are not Igbo. They are distinct peoples base on the history of their evolution. This is why some now call what was once a great notion Biafrauud.

jerseyboy:
Ikwere People Are Not Igbo —Andy Wabali.
By Victor Ajihromanus

An opinion leader in the Niger Delta, Mr. Andy Wabali, has clarified that the Ikwere of Rivers State, are not Igbo irrespective of language similarities.
He also said it is wrong to describe the Ikwere as Igbo, saying the ethnic group is distinct from the Igbo ethnic group.
In a chat with Vanguard, Wabali, backed his argument with contemporary examples in the country.
His words: “Clearly, the Ikwere in Rivers State which I am one of them are a very distinct people. We are very different from the Igbo. Yes, there are similarities in language but that does not make us Igbo.

We bear Igbo names like Nnamdi, which has no meaning in my language for instance, when the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the President, some of our people were given the names. Even Goodluck J
“That does not make him Igbo. My people are not Igbo. Culturally, we are different. We might be in the same language group, but that does not make us Igbo. Don’t forget that Igbo language was a language of trade just like the Hausa and Yoruba languages that were used as trading languages in the past. People might be describing us as Igbo, but that is an error because we are different from Igbo.

For instance, in the United Kingdom, the Scottish people are not English, the Irish are not English but they all speak English. In Belgium, the Belgians are not French but they speak French. [/b]Because most people do not read, they take everything they hear hook line and sinker. Most Nigerians do not read. There is intellectual laziness even on the part of our historians. Some just generalize and write reports that can’t be substantiated. [b]We belong to the language group that cut across the Bight of Benin and even Southern Africa.

“We are Ikwere people. We are distinct in culture and many areas. Our distinctiveness can be seen in our kinship and anthropology. When people talk about dialects, there are no dialects of English language. So the issue of dialect does not come in. The French language is embedded in English just the way the German language is embedded in English, but these are two different nationalities with different identities. Since Igbo is a language of trade, it is widely spoken just like the Hausa language.

Today, we even have a wrong coinage, Hausa-Fulani, but there is nothing like Hausa-Fulani. You are either Hausa or Fulani. In the Niger Delta, we have a lot of ethnic nationalities. The Urhobo and Isoko are two different ethnic groups. There languages are similar but they are not the same ethnic group. Isoko people are Isoko people while the Urhobo people are Urhobo. It is in that same manner that Ikwere people are Ikwere while Igbo are Igbo.”


(Vanguard)

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2020/11/ikwere-people-not-igbo-says-wabali/

pek:
Okay. Let's take it one at a time. Ikwere is found in Rivers State. By your logic, that means they can't be Igbos. Igalas are in Anambra State. By your logic, they can't be Igalas since it is outside Kogi State. Are you seeing sense in your logic? You forget that state creations and what you call South South and south East are all man made. Have you heard of the Owena people. Can you tell me one unique factor about them? What makes a people Igbo? If Ikwere people are not Igbos, then Owerri people, Aba, Nsukka, Ohafia people and a host of others are not Igbos. So, the question then is, who are the Igbos?

jerseyboy:
Igbo ambition in the Niger Delta is becoming a concern as surely Nigeria is breaking-up. Igbo wont let go these insane hallucinations for people's land who are beginning to have more and more HATRED of Igbos for this delusion on the map that puts WARRI on the map of Biafra. When on a Mid-West Movement call early May the talk was dominated by raising money to buy weapons to repel an expected Biafra invasion I noticed it was led by 2 Anioma Bendelites.

When a handful of Ilorin clerics declared themselves Yoruba Fulanis of Northern Nigeria, Yoruba Nation aggitators took Kwara out of consideration and set stiff terms as to condition under which they will be allowed into the new nation despite 95% of Kwara Yorubas wanting to be in Oduduwa. Now that's a people with pride. Not so for Igbos.

A majority Yoruba House of Assembly in the first republic voted to allow the Mid-West referendum. Only Yorubas allowed the new region promised minorities in their own region. The agitation for COR Region was just as loud as the Mid-West but an Igbo dominated regional assembly would not even allow a bill to get to the floor. Yorubas have class and honor. Igbos are becoming really scary people.

By the way Anioma recorded the highest percentage in the 1963 Mid-West Referendum with 93% for YES. The never discussed joining the East. Even when Ojukwu capture the Mid-West, he did not annex Anioma into Biafra. When on September 20, 1967 Ojukwu declared The Republic Of Benin, he did not cut Anioma out. Ojukwu obviously is wiser than many Igbo nairalanders.

jerseyboy:
After all this your epistle what if a sizable population of them still don't want to be Igbo or Biafra?

Minorities work very well together where their is a culture of merit and no one can dominate the other even if they wish to. Dennis Osadebe an Igbo was the first Premier of the Midwest Region. Okowa is governor in Delta.

Niger Delta Republic will come as a result of any one component leaving. A floodgate will open for all to pass through just like the Soviet Union.

sapientia:
What is the language of ikwere people?

Kingof2nations:
waoh after watching this video one can understand the unique problem face by the ikwere people.
This similar kind of problem is also faced in many ethnic Igbo group like nsukka, abakaleki etc. But there's was worsen by the divide and rule of the Nigeria State and again to Larger extent the impact of the Biafra war most Igbo generally want to deny their Igboness jst to eat, but it became easier or more obvious to deny Igboness in the riverine areas following the creation of South South.
My advice for the Igbos in ikwere is that you must not just see your self as Igbo but demand for your right within the Igbo nation, two the general Igbo nation's must appreciate the unique challenge ikweres are facing so dt dey will not be discriminated unconsciously. Imaging for instance it was Nsukka or ebonyi in particular that mistakenly carved with other minorities in the South South their case would been worst off because their Igbo dialect is even difficult to understand

jerseyboy:
Igbos made him a target for Unity Begging after that write up. On this video day he caved to pressure. He has since clarified. He wants no part of Biafra.

jerseyboy:
"Port Harcourt is not Ibo (Igbo) Town." - D. K. Onwenu. Secretary to Ibo State Union. As Ikwere opt for River State.

https://www.nairaland.com/attachments/13558576_igbo_jpeg474412ee2a5a8bca72d06c7f9362513e

gidgiddy:
Im a bit confused here. The same Andy Wabali that said Ikwerres are Igbos in the video below? Or are there two different Andy Wabali?


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdkLJoj_SAk&t=894s

pek:
Are the Okun people Yorubas? Someone help with this.

jerseyboy:
There is no dispute amonst the Okun that they are Yorubas. In fact there is unanimity. Not so amonst the Ikweres. They will never form enough consensus to be call Igbo or be in Biafra. For how long will a new nation or the Ikweres want to deal with that?

pek:
Are the Okun people Yorubas? Someone help with this.

ariesbull:
Seun is from kabba she hated being addressed as a Yoruba....she is my babe