It was an anti climax of an event for the Chief of Staff to the governor and his numerous followers running into thousands who flooded Itu, Ezinihite LGA, Mbaise for the 2018 Iriji Mbaise Festival.
Against the hype and brouhaha preceding the award of Chieftaincy title to Nwosu, the Mbaise clan through the Ezeji’s failed to do the needful for Nwosu, the governor’s son in-law by not allowing the title earmarked for him to hold at the Itu venue, the main venue of the Iriji Festival.
Rather, under strict security surveillance mounted by all manners of security agencies deployed to Mbaise land on Wednesday, Trumpeta learnt that 12 out of 91 Ezes that make up Mbaise clan took part in the conferment at the Eziala Nguru palace of Eze Leo Nwokocha. The chairman of the Mbaise Council of Traditional Rulers.
Our correspondent who was at the venue and monitored proceedings disclosed that at 12 noon, the Ezejis drawn from the three councils; Aboh, Ahiazu and Ezinihite had performed the traditional Iwaji festival and dispersed immediately, signaling the end of the ceremony at the venue before supporters of Nwosu and party members of APC drawn from various areas gathered to engage in party carnival at the venue.
Trumpeta noticed that when the Ezeji’s had finished the Iwaji Traditional rite, Nwosu’s advance party arrived including government appointees in the state. The event turned into a party carnival with campaign posters and uninform of aspirants for the 2019 election.
As the APC jamboree was on going at the Itu venue, amidst tight security, police men had barricaded the palace of Eze Leo Nwokocha of Eziala Nguru where the chieftaincy title was reported to have been handed to Nwosu.
According to reports, stern looking security operatives armed to the teeth had arrived and took vantage positions around the palace before, Nwosu and entourage arrived at about when 12 of the 91 Ezes in Mbaise land conferred on him the contentious title.
Our correspondent further reports that from the Azaraegbelu boundary, security agencies of different mould were stationed in the area indicating that Mbaise land came under siege for the festival.
Further details have it that top chieftains of Ezuruezu Mbaise went into hiding to avoid arrest from security agencies after petitions against them were sent out accusing them of alleged plans to disrupt the event.
Trumpeta findings have it that a number of the Ezuruezu leaders were unable to come out and witness the Iwaji rite as they were marked for arrest.
It would be recalled that opposing forces especially from Integrity Group of Ezes, Ezuruezu Mbaise at home and abroad persistently kicked against the chieftaincy title to Nwosu at this year’s Iriji Festival.
In a related development, the Owerri People’s Assembly Elders Council has condemned the politicization of the Iriji Mbaise ceremony.
In a statement issued by the Deputy Chairman Chief Sam Obaji, the council supports the decision of Ezuruezu Mbaise (Apex organization of Mbaise) not to have a central ceremony but a low key decentralized activity for 2018.
It will be recalled that in the past year, the Mbaise clan has lost six prominent traditional rulers including Eze Mike Abii, and Eze P.N. Amaechi, well known supporters of our council. It is therefore genuine and proper to respect the feelings of Mbaise in this time of mourning.
We therefore see the decision of Ezuruezu not to have a full blown ceremony at this time of mourning as genuine and proper to maintain peace, tranquility, and common sense humanity.
We urge all Owerri son’s and daughters to support and identify with Mbaise at this time in the quest to preserve, protect and defend this important cultural heritage and civilization, and save it from dangerous politics. Long live Iriji Mbaise
