Abagworo:

An Ekpeye scholar has come up with a claim that could disorganize several decades old historic and academic studies. In his book he has affirmed a claim of autochthony for Ekpeye amd ascribing parts of Igboland to original Ekpeye speakers. Based on my knowledge of the areas he claimed there is similarity but then everything still boils down to Crossriver area of Ebonyi State and Abia State as origin. Ikwerre for example is most appropriately an offshoot of Ikwo in Ebonyi that moved to Arochukwu for consultation then followed the Aro people to Etche where they lived before moving on to found separate settlement at Isiokpo. The movement is verifiable both from the Aro tales to the Etche chronicles. Aros still have a big settlement beside Isiokpo and are called Azumini not Isoma used for other Igbos. Aros also established the Amadioha or Kamalu shrine at Ozuzu in Etche as well as the Igwekali shrine at Umunoha in Mbaitoli. What will be interesting in this book is how the Ekpeye Scholar will ascribe Aro to Ekpeye origin and then claim most of the Aro influences as Ekpeye influence however the most interesting is that he has debunked the Benin origin ascribed to Akalaka all these years. Akaraka is a common title/name in Arochukwu area and means destiny while Oha is an Igbo term for "the people" but used more as a title in the Owerri and Ikwerre area which he claims spoke Ekpeye in the past. I've not heard of Oha in Delta Igbo but rather Ikenga which is linked to Nri culture just like Ozo title.
All what is proven here is that ekpeye has a close relationship with hinterland igbos unlike the Bini theory of origin. They are doing well. It's little by little. One day they will write another book to prove they are fully igbos. It's just a matter of time.�

Abagworo:

An Ekpeye scholar has come up with a claim that could disorganize several decades old historic and academic studies. In his book he has affirmed a claim of autochthony for Ekpeye amd ascribing parts of Igboland to original Ekpeye speakers. Based on my knowledge of the areas he claimed there is similarity but then everything still boils down to Crossriver area of Ebonyi State and Abia State as origin. Ikwerre for example is most appropriately an offshoot of Ikwo in Ebonyi that moved to Arochukwu for consultation then followed the Aro people to Etche where they lived before moving on to found separate settlement at Isiokpo. The movement is verifiable both from the Aro tales to the Etche chronicles. Aros still have a big settlement beside Isiokpo and are called Azumini not Isoma used for other Igbos. Aros also established the Amadioha or Kamalu shrine at Ozuzu in Etche as well as the Igwekali shrine at Umunoha in Mbaitoli. What will be interesting in this book is how the Ekpeye Scholar will ascribe Aro to Ekpeye origin and then claim most of the Aro influences as Ekpeye influence however the most interesting is that he has debunked the Benin origin ascribed to Akalaka all these years. Akaraka is a common title/name in Arochukwu area and means destiny while Oha is an Igbo term for "the people" but used more as a title in the Owerri and Ikwerre area which he claims spoke Ekpeye in the past. I've not heard of Oha in Delta Igbo but rather Ikenga which is linked to Nri culture just like Ozo title.

Abagworo:


The proto Ikwerre isn't any offshoot of Ekpeye even though they all migrated from Crossriver. The father of Ikwerre ethnic group is Okpo Wagidi from Ama-Okpo in present day Ikwo LGA of Ebonyi State. He left Ikwo to consult Arochukwu Oracle "Ubini Ukpabi" with a large entourage after being falsely accused of sacrilege and vowed never to return or be sold into slavery. He migrated Southwards with Aro slave traders to present day Etche LGA in Rivers State where he stayed until the people felt his people were growing too large in population and allowed them cross over Chokocho to settle on virgin land. Okpo moved till he got stuck at the waterside and it was from there his entourage dispersed to found other Ikwerre communities. Ikwerre is actually Ikwo-ere meaning Ikwo can't sell us. Igbere in Abia State has similar story as they moved from Etche in present day Rivers State to present day Bende LGA in Abia State. They are descendants of Ebiri Okomoko in Etche. Igbere is actually Igbo-ere meaning Igbo can't sell us. If anyone doubts this history he should visit Etche in Rivers State and Ikwo in Ebonyi State.

Till date the Aro maintain their stay in part of Ishiokpo and are called Azumini by the Okpo descendants.

AutomaticMotors:
They are not igbos leave them alone!!