The 2015 Iriji Mbaise (New Yam Festival) is set to end in chaos and mayhem if the tension pervading Mbaise land is anything to judge the pulse of the annual celebration.
Information available to Trumpeta Newspaper has it that the socio-cultural organisation which binds Mbaise land together, and coordinates the annual Mbaise New Yam Festival, Ezuruezu Mbaise, has been decimated into faction following crisis rocking the organization.
Trumpeta learnt that counter instructions, as regards the 2015 Iriji Mbaise Festival, are being issued out from both factions of Ezuruezu Mbaise.
It would be recalled that a faction led by Chief Cajethan Nnamdi had emerged on July 19, 2015, as the new Executive of the Ezuruezu Mbaise, following what it called the expiration of the tenure of Dr Okechukwu Aguwa as President General of the socio-cultural organization.
However, another Group claimed on August 2, 2015, that an election of Ezuruezu had also held where Bar Cyril Anyanwu emerged as the new President General of Ezuruezu Mbaise.
Following these conflicting developments the Ezuruezu Mbaise was thrown into two factions, thereby affecting the outcome of 2015 Iriji Mbaise Festival
Trumpeta learnt that while the Anyanwu led faction of the Ezuruezu Mbaise implores Mbaise people to celebrate the New Yam Festival in their various homes and communities, that led by chief Nnamdi is said to have asked Mbaise Nation to troop out to Itu, the Headquarter of Ezuruezu Mbaise LGA, for this year’s 2015 Iriji Mbaise Festival, where the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha is expected to attend.
This conflicting news has thrown confusion into Mbaise land, as citizens are now confused on which of the instructions to follow.
Meanwhile, a Newspaper Publication, the Nnamdi faction of Ezuruezu Mbaise had dismissed the Anyanwu faction as a joke. In a disclaimer signed by chief B.E Ogwunga, and chief JC OGU as secretary General and publicity secretary respectively, of the Nnamdi Ezuruezu Group, it said that “consequent upon the expiration of the tenure of (Okey Aguwa) the executive was dissolved and election duly conducted on 19th of July 2015 at the Ezuruezu Mbaise Hall, in a Governing Council Meeting convened by the out gone President General, Dr Okechukwu Aguwa”.
The disclaimer went on to state that “the election produced the present Executive members of Ezuruezu Mbaise led by Chief Cajethan Nnamdi”.
In a swift reaction, the Ezuruezu faction led by Chief CY Anyanwu said that “in anticipation of the expiration of the tenure of the Exco on August 2, 2015 held an election and the new Exco emerged with Bar Cyril Anyanwu for Ahiazu Mbaise as the substantive President- General of Ezuruezu Mbaise”.
The disclaimer from the Anyanwu Group was signed by Bar Cyril Anyanwu and Hon Oliver Enwerenem as President General and Secretary General respectively.
With the latest scenario, pundits predict that should the two factions meet at the Iriji Festival venue, fracas would certainly breakout in the course of power play.
It is on record that the last Iriji festival in 2014 ended in near chaos, as mayhem broke out between two Groups; one loyal to the state Government and the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress APC , and the other loyal to the former Deputy speaker of House of Representatives, and Governorship candidate of the PDP, Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha.
Trumpeta reporters who visited the three LGAs in Mbaise observe that tension is high and likely to explode at Itu ,Ezuruezu Mbaise clash at the ceremony.
Meanwhile, Trumpeta learnt that many parents have advised their wards to stay away from the venue of the 2015 Iriji Mbaise as the ceremony is shrouded in apprehension, following the factionalization of Ezuruezu Mbaise.
