The highest constituted authority of Igbanke people of Edo State, the Igbanke General Union Worldwide, has dismissed claims by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo that Igbanke people have embraced their Igbo roots.

The President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Sen John Azuta-Mbata, had praised the Igbanke people after a group held a press conference announcing that they are Igbo people and not Bini.

In a statement, Azuta-Mbata said, “This bold declaration of identity is a testament to your unwavering commitment to asserting and celebrating your authentic Igbo heritage. By proudly affirming your Igbo ancestry, you have demonstrated resilience and pride in the face of historical misconceptions.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide commends your efforts in promoting unity, cultural preservation, and the advancement of our great Igbo nation. Your festival is a beacon of hope and inspiration to other Igbo communities.

“We assure you that Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide will partner with your group in all our activities, leveraging our collective strengths to promote Igbo interests and heritage.

“We shall equally incorporate the people of Igbanke in all our activities. Igbo bu ofu (Igbos are one and united). Together, we can achieve greater heights. Once again, congratulations on this great achievement. We look forward to a fruitful collaboration.”

However, in a statement on Tuesday, the Igbanke General Union Worldwide rubbished the group praised by the Ohanaeze president, describing it as faceless.

According to the statement signed by the President, Usiagwu Osaretin, and the Secretary General, Celestine Osadolor, the unknown faceless group was not authorised to speak on behalf of the Igbanke people.

The union also noted that Igbanke is an autonomous community in Edo State that speaks Igbanke dialect, a variant of ika language.

When MyNigeria contacted the President, Osaretin, he dismissed the statement made by the Ohanaeze president about the Igbanke people embracing Igbo roots, stressing that Igbanke is not Igbo.

"We are not with Ohanaeze Ndigbo. Igbanke is not Igbo community and we discountenance that. We don't have their support. Igbanke is Igbanke and not Igbo land. That's a figment of their imagination; Igbanke is not Igbo. We condemn such a notion in its entirety, one hundred per cent," Osaretin told MyNigeria.

ASA