The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has reiterated its commitment to the unification of all indigenous Igbo communities across Nigeria, extending its outreach beyond the Southeast into South-South and North Central regions, including Edo, Kogi, Benue, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Bayelsa states.
This renewed push for inclusivity gained significant momentum with the election of Comrade Azuka Oka Etumudon, a native of Igbanke in Edo State, as the National Organizing Secretary of the OYC during its national convention on February 8, 2025, in Owerri, Imo State. His election marked a historic milestone, being the first Igbanke son to occupy a national elective position in the Ohanaeze structure.
The development followed a reaffirmation by the Okiko Uwa Sociocultural group, which declared on April 23, 2025, that the Igbanke people are historically and culturally Igbo, without ancestral ties to the Benin Kingdom. This statement reinforced the OYC’s advocacy for the recognition of scattered Igbo communities nationwide.
Controversy Over Traditional Authority in Igbank
Despite these cultural affirmations, tensions have escalated following a suspension notice issued on April 30, 2025, by the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), allegedly co-signed by prominent Benin chiefs and sanctioned by Oba Ewaure II. The letter targeted six traditional rulers from Igbanke who had aligned with their Igbo identity.
The OYC has criticized this action as an unwarranted interference and a provocative attempt to rewrite the cultural identity of the Igbanke people. The group described the move as disrespectful to local traditional structures, which maintain distinct Igbo titles and customs, such as Eze, Obi, Ogele, Okpara-Uku, Ndi-Ichie, and Ndi-Nze. Religious roles are also led by figures such as Eze Nwa-Obu and Ndi-Eze Dibia, underscoring a deep-rooted Igbo heritage.
Further distinguishing Igbanke from Benin ancestry is the linguistic reality. The people of Igbanke speak the Ika dialect, shared with neighboring Igbo communities in Delta State, and linguistically unrelated to the Edo language spoken by Benin communities. Geographically, Igbanke is surrounded by Ika-speaking areas, including Ekpon, Agbor, Alisimie, and Mbiri, with only a natural water boundary separating it from the Benin-speaking town of Oghada.
In light of these developments, the OYC has called on Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, under the leadership of Senator Azuta John Mbata, to amend its constitution and formally include Igbo communities from regions beyond the Southeast.
Additionally, the Council urged the Executive Governor of Edo State, Senator Monday Okpebholo, to intervene and caution the Benin Traditional Council against what it described as “attempts to distort cultural and historical truths for political motives.”
Signed by Comrade Ifeanyichukwu Nweke (Secretary General) and Comrade Ukpabi Michael Authority (National Publicity Secretary), the OYC press release concluded with a reaffirmation of its peaceful but determined stance in defending the cultural rights and heritage of all Igbo communities across Nigeria.
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National Youth President Ohanaeze Youth Council
