Port Harcourt, Nigeria – 25 July 2025 – A proposed cultural event dubbed “Igbo Fest” in Port Harcourt has ignited a fierce debate on ethnic identity and cultural rights in Rivers State, with the Indigenous Igbo Congress (IIC) Rivers State issuing a strong rebuttal to claims that the festival could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
In a press release dated 24 July 2025, the IIC dismissed an online letter purportedly from the Ikwerre People’s Association (IPA), which was addressed to the Inspector General of Police. The IPA’s letter, titled “The Proposed ‘Igbo Fest’ in Port Harcourt Will Cause the Breakdown of Law and Order,” argued that the event represents an attempt by Igbo groups to assert dominance over Ikwerre land and identity, potentially sparking unrest. The IIC described the IPA as a “faceless group” engaging in “bigotry” by misusing Ikwerre ethnic nationality to oppose the festival.
The IIC’s statement, signed by President General Comrade Chimenum Amadi (Ikwerre) and Secretary General Comrade Victor Ogenna (Ekpeye), emphasised that Igbo Fest is a longstanding cultural celebration of the “greater Igbo nation,” held annually in major cities across Nigeria and internationally, including Germany, the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, Lagos, and Abuja. “It should be recalled that the IgboFest is a cultural festival of the greater Igbo nation celebrated in major cities in Nigeria and across the world,” the release stated. It highlighted participation from all ethnic nationalities within the Igbo fold, including Ikwerre, and rejected the notion that the event would disrupt harmony.
The group urged Igbo-speaking communities in Rivers State to support the festival, asserting it is not exclusive to the five South East states but jointly organised by Igbos from the South East, South South, and North Central regions. Citing the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended, the IIC affirmed their right to freedom of association and assembly, declaring: “We have the right to live as free people and mingle as enshrined in the 1999 constitution… No one has the right to infringe on another’s fundamental right of association as citizens of this country.” They called on the Inspector General of Police to provide adequate security for the event, scheduled for 27 July 2025 at the Polo Club in Port Harcourt, and warned against criminals exploiting ethnic divisions.
The controversy stems from deeper ethnic sensitivities in Rivers State, where debates over whether Ikwerre people are part of the Igbo ethnic group or a distinct nationality have long simmered. The IPA’s petition, circulated widely on social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) since mid-July, claimed the festival is a “direct assault on the territorial integrity, peace, and cultural dignity of Ikwerre.” Similar sentiments were echoed in a protest letter from the Ikwerre Conservative group to the Rivers State Government, demanding a ban on “external ethnocentric cultural celebrations” in Ikwerre territory without permission.
Social media has amplified the divide. Posts on X reveal polarised views, with some users accusing Igbo organisers of expansionism and others defending the festival as a harmless celebration of heritage. One X user from Rivers State argued, “This brouhaha about Igbo Fest would never come up if certain individuals didn’t claim Port Harcourt and Rivers State as part of Igbo land,” highlighting fears of cultural erasure. Conversely, supporters like one Igbo advocate stated, “The unification of Ndi Igbo is inevitable,” pointing to shared linguistic and cultural ties. Discussions often reference historical contexts, including post-colonial identity politics in the Niger Delta, where groups like Ikwerre have asserted distinct identities amid Nigeria’s ethnic mosaic.
Critics of the opposition, including human rights defenders in Rivers State, have labelled the IPA’s petition as “divisive and dangerous,” arguing it misunderstands the festival’s inclusive nature. Event organisers, promoting under the theme “Nchekwa Odinala” (Preservation of Culture), have sold out vendor spots and encouraged attendance, describing it as featuring masquerades, traditional dances, music, and feasting. Tickets remain available online, with assurances that the event is open to all, regardless of ethnicity.
As the date approaches, calls for dialogue and peace have emerged from various quarters. The IIC urged participants to remain peaceful and assured that indigenous Igbos in Rivers State stand solidly behind the festival. Meanwhile, opponents like the IPA and Ikwerre Conservative maintain that proceeding without addressing local concerns could exacerbate tensions.
Rivers State authorities have yet to issue an official response, but observers note the potential for police intervention given the petitions. In a region with a history of ethnic sensitivities, the outcome of this dispute could set precedents for cultural events amid Nigeria’s diverse tapestry.
This article draws on multiple perspectives to reflect the multifaceted nature of the issue, emphasising the need for mutual respect and constitutional adherence.
