Ebonyi group warns against politicising Ezza new yam festival, urges respect for traditional protocols

A socio-cultural organisation, the Association of Ebonyi Indigenes Socio-Cultural in the Diaspora (AEISCID), has cautioned against what it described as attempts to politicise the annual Okeaku (New Yam) Festival of the Ezza Ezekuna people, urging individuals and groups to respect established cultural traditions.

In a statement signed on Saturday by its President, Ambassador Paschal Oluchukwu, the group expressed concern over it called a departure from the customary process of fixing and celebrating the festival, which it said traditionally marks the beginning of a new calendar year for the Ezza nation.

AEISCID alleged that a gathering organised on June 30, 2026, at the ancestral Okpoku Ezekuna (Nchionu) ground by a group identified as “Ezza Elites” was held without the guidance or approval of recognised traditional custodians of Ezza cultural heritage.

According to the association, while every group has the constitutional right to peaceful assembly and freedom of association, presenting the event as the official Okeaku Festival could create confusion over long-established cultural practices.

The group maintained that cultural festivals should remain free from political influence and called on stakeholders to uphold the traditions and values that have united the Ezza people over generations.

AEISCID also urged the organisers of the gathering to acknowledge the concerns raised and ensure that future activities align with established cultural protocols in order to preserve the integrity of the Okeaku Festival.

The association further appealed to sons and daughters of Ezza Ezekuna, both at home and in the diaspora, to remain peaceful and united, stressing the need to protect the community’s cultural heritage from actions capable of creating division.

Reaffirming its commitment to promoting the cultural values of the Ezza nation, AEISCID called on all stakeholders to work together in preserving the customs and traditions that define the identity of the people.

“Going forward, they must as a matter of fact recognise and live by by the age-long saying; _Ezza jikotara onu, ndu lanu, olu lanu_ which signifies our symbolic strength and unity even in diversity. This group urges great sons and daughters of Ezza Ezekuna to please ignore the regrettable gathering of people we may rightly describe as desperate political hawks who are bent on destroying our culture for cheap political gains.

“They should remember that they are just one out of the many social groups in Ezza nation. To this end therefore we counsel Ezza Elites to be very careful with their actions and activities as they carry heavy consequences both culturally, politically, morally and otherwise.

“Finally, AEISCID urges all sons and daughters of Ezza Ezekuna worldwide to remain calm, resolute and under the one and united umbrella that govern our traditions as a people. And because we will never allow such an embarrassing incident to happen again, we urge our people of Ezza nation to keep living in love, peace and unity as we have been known for.”