By Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki
Barely 24 hours to the annual cultural day celebration of Anmegu day/Atu-Oke festival, the governor of Ebonyi State,Engr David Umahi has allegedly ordered the total cancellation of the event.
Anmegu is the ancestral home of Izhi speaking people which cuts across the three Local Government Areas in present Ebonyi State with others in Benue and Cross River State.
The event our reporter learnt was scheduled to hold at Okpoku Izhi, the ancestral home of Izhi people was allegedly interfered by the state governor over the inclusion of one of the national Assembly members among those who will be coronated, Senator Dr. Sam Egwu, senator representing Ebonyi North federal Constituency who recently was on logger head with the duo.
In a press statement issued by the National President Izhi Agenda, Barr Kelechi Opoke and Secretary, Jeremiah Onyibe, condemned outrightly the interference of the state Governor on the people’s cultural day celebration.
The release reads thus:”With great displeasure we condemn the suspension of our hallowed traditional event that was scheduled to hold tomorrow being Saturday 22nd of May 2021 at our ancestral home Anmegu Izhi at Abakaliki local government.
“Barely 24hours for the celebration of Anmegu day/Atu-Oke festival at our ancestral home of Izhi clan , the governor of Ebonyi state Chief, Engr. Dave Umahi suspended the event with slim reason that some of his political enemies will be recognized in the event including the former governor of Ebonyi state and the current Senator representing good people of Ebonyi North Senatorial zone, Senator Sam Ominyi Egwu .
The suspension of Atu-Oke festival of Izhi people is not just an insult to Izhi people but a reproach to what Izhi clan stand for and we condemn it in a strongest term.
Using your exalted position to irrigate the seed of discord in our traditional events is not acceptable to us as this is an affront on Izhi people as a clan, it’s an aberration that should be and it will be nice if you accord our people that respect.
Atu-Oke festival is our traditional events scheduled to reverberate peace and unity and as well enhance progressive development among Izhi people and her sister clan.
We however call on the governor of Ebonyi state Chief Engr Dave Nweze Umahi to allow Izhi people hold their traditional events by lifting the suspension of Anmegu day/Atu-Oke festival as Izhi traditional institution is not for politics”
