...ADC chieftain accuses ex-lawmaker of political revisionism, warns against ethnic manipulation
Chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has challenged former federal lawmaker, Elder Chidi Wihioka, to produce documentary evidence to substantiate his claim that former Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, is not an Ikwerre man.
Eze described Wihioka’s assertion as an attempt at political revisionism and ethnic manipulation, insisting that questions of ancestry, identity and historical belonging should not be settled through political rhetoric or threats.
Wihioka, a former member of the House of Representatives for the Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency, has reportedly claimed that he possesses documents capable of disproving Amaechi’s Ikwerre ancestry if the former governor continues to speak on the issue. Reports of the claim have also been circulated in recent media reports and social-media publications.
Reacting in a statement made available to journalists on Monday, Eze said Wihioka should make the alleged documents public and subject them to independent historical scrutiny rather than deploying them as political ammunition.
“If Elder Chidi Wihioka genuinely possesses documents capable of disproving Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi’s Ikwerre ancestry, let him publish them and subject them to independent historical scrutiny,” Eze said.
“Enough of political theatrics. Let the documents speak. Let historians, traditional institutions and the people examine them. An unsupported political assertion does not become historical fact merely because it is repeated before journalists.”
Eze said the controversy was particularly troubling because ethnic identity, according to him, should not be deployed as a political instrument whenever political alliances or interests change.
He said: “Identity should not become a political weapon that one deploys only when it is convenient. You cannot recognise a man as a son, associate with him politically and benefit from the political environment around him, only to begin questioning his ancestry when political interests change.
“History is not a political garment that can be worn today and discarded tomorrow.”
The ADC chieftain further rejected Wihioka’s reported assertion that Amaechi would be “caged” ahead of the 2027 elections, describing such rhetoric as inconsistent with the principles of democratic competition.
“Amaechi cannot be caged. The people cannot be caged. Democracy cannot be caged,” Eze declared.
According to him, the political future of Rivers State should be determined by voters rather than political godfathers or individuals claiming ownership of the electorate.
“Who gave Chidi Wihioka the authority to distribute the votes of Ikwerre people? Is Ikwerre now a political estate owned by Nyesom Wike? Are the sons and daughters of Ikwerre now political subjects who must receive instructions on whom to vote for?
“Let it be clearly understood: Ikwerre people own their votes. Not Wike. Not Wihioka. Not Amaechi. Not any political godfather.”
Eze also dismissed the suggestion that Amaechi’s political relevance could be determined by an individual political actor, arguing that the former governor had established himself as a major political figure through his previous elective and ministerial positions.
“Amaechi does not need Chidi Wihioka’s permission to contest an election, nor does he need Wihioka to determine his political future,” he said.
The ADC chieftain urged Wihioka to provide the provenance and historical basis of the documents he claimed to possess, including their authorship, date, source and methodology, so that the matter could be subjected to credible scrutiny.
“If Chidi Wihioka has the document, let him publish it. We are waiting,” Eze said.
“Let him tell Rivers people precisely what the document says, who authored it, when it was made, the historical sources upon which it relies and how it arrives at the extraordinary conclusion he is now advertising.
“Until then, his claim remains nothing more than a political allegation designed to serve a temporary political purpose.”
Eze warned against turning questions of ethnic identity into instruments of political mobilisation, saying such a development could deepen division in a state already approaching another politically competitive election cycle.
He maintained that Ikwerre identity could not be determined by political allegiance or factional affiliation.
“Being Ikwerre is not a political appointment. It is not conferred by Wike, Wihioka or any political faction. It is not lost because a man chooses to support a different political platform,” he said.
“If Wihioka believes otherwise, then he should bring forward his evidence, identify the historical authorities upon which he relies and allow the matter to be properly interrogated rather than using inflammatory statements to create confusion among our people.”
Eze further argued that the 2027 political contest would ultimately be determined at the polling booths, stressing that voters, rather than political power brokers, would have the final say.
“Let them continue to distribute Ikwerre votes from their sitting rooms. Let them continue to declare who is an Ikwerre son and who is not. Let them continue to threaten opponents with imaginary cages.
“But when the people enter the polling booths, none of these politicians will be there to control the finger of the voter.
“Wike will not be there. Wihioka will not be there. Amaechi will not be there. The voter alone will decide.”
He urged political actors in Rivers State to focus on issues, policies and democratic persuasion rather than resorting to ethnic narratives and threats.
Eze concluded that the 2027 elections would provide an opportunity for Rivers voters to determine the political direction of the state independently of alleged godfatherism and political intimidation.
“Rivers State is not anybody’s political plantation. Ikwerre is not anybody’s political estate. The people are not anybody’s property.
“2027 will be a referendum on the politics of intimidation, entitlement, manipulation and godfatherism,” he said.
