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By Silvernews
A new controversy has emerged over the organization of the 2026 Iri-Ji Mbaise cultural festival, as the Ndi Ezeji Mbaise leadership has publicly distanced itself from Ezuruezu Mbaise’s planned activities, citing exclusion, violation of tradition and disregard for established agreements.
In a public statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, Ezeji Anistus Ogu, Ndi Ezeji said several attempts to reach an understanding with the Ezuruezu Mbaise leadership had failed despite repeated dialogues and interventions by traditional rulers.
The group accused the current Ezuruezu administration of refusing to recognize Ndi Ezeji’s statutory role in the Mbaise cultural structure, instead describing the body as “just another social club.
According to the statement, Ezuruezu had proceeded with plans for the annual New Yam Festival without involving Ndi Ezeji, contrary to long-standing tradition.
Ndi Ezeji further alleged that the organizers had introduced practices unrelated to the festival, including presenting personal prizes during the celebration and asking each Mbaise autonomous community to contribute ₦2 million towards the proposed event in Oke-Uvuru.
The statement also recalls what it described as previous controversies surrounding the festival, including the alleged use of an impostor in Ezeji clothing, the use of foreign sweet potatoes during last year’s celebration and an attempt to rename the event as Mbaise Cultural Day, a move which was said to have been rejected.
Accordingly, Ndi Ezeji announced that he would proceed with the statutory Iwa-Ji rites on 15 August 2026 at Ishi Ovu, Eke Ngwuru, starting from 11am.
The group said the ceremony will be open to all of Mbaise’s sons and daughters, friends, in-laws and supporters, while virtual access will also be provided to those in the diaspora.
Ndi Ezeji also cautioned the public against associating him with any publication or program issued by Ezuruezu Mbaise, insisting that any reference to the body in such materials was made without his knowledge or consent.
The organization urged the people of Mbaise and the general public to distinguish between what it described as its statutory traditional rites and any other events independently organized by Ezuruezu Mbaise.
At the time of filing this report, Ezuruezu Mbaise had not responded publicly to the allegations in the statement.
