By Douglas Princemola
The leadership of Ndi Eze-Ji Mbaise has declared that the 2026 Iri-Ji Mbaise Cultural Festival will go ahead as scheduled on August 15, despite ongoing disagreements over the organisation of the annual event.
At a press briefing in Owerri, Imo State, the traditional custodians of the festival said they remain committed to preserving the cultural identity and spiritual importance of the Iri-Ji celebration, describing it as one of the oldest and most respected traditions of the Mbaise people.
Led by its President General, Chief Livinus Nwajere, Ndi Eze-Ji said the institution remains the recognised custodian of the New Yam Festival and has a responsibility to protect its customs, values and sacred rites for future generations.
The group expressed concern over what it described as attempts to alter the traditional structure of the festival, insisting that decisions affecting the event must always respect the customs and heritage of the Mbaise people.
Ndi Eze-Ji also called for the establishment of a more inclusive Central Organising Committee that would bring together representatives of the traditional rulers, Ezuruezu Mbaise and Ndi Eze-Ji. According to the institution, such a structure would promote transparency, accountability and equal participation in the planning of the annual festival.
The traditional institution further alleged that the President General of Ezuruezu Mbaise, Surveyor Joe Ogbonna Anosike, violated certain customs during the 2025 edition of the festival. Among the allegations raised were claims that yams sourced outside Mbaise were used during the celebration and that promotional materials did not accurately reflect the cultural identity of the Mbaise people.
According to Ndi Eze-Ji, the alleged actions amounted to sacrilege under the customs and traditions of the land. The institution maintained that appropriate traditional rites of appeasement should be performed in line with long-established practices. These allegations reflect the position of Ndi Eze-Ji, and there was no public response from Surveyor Anosike at the time of the briefing.
The group said its concerns were not intended to create conflict but to protect the integrity of a festival that has served for generations as a symbol of thanksgiving, unity and agricultural prosperity among the Mbaise people.
Ndi Eze-Ji also proposed that all funds relating to the festival should be managed through an official account opened solely in the name of the Iri-Ji Mbaise Festival. It said this would strengthen public confidence and ensure greater financial accountability.
The institution appealed to the Executive Chairman of Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area and other relevant authorities to urgently repair the Ahiara Junction–Uvuru road before the festival, noting that improved access would encourage greater participation by visitors, tourists and indigenes returning home for the annual celebration.
As part of efforts to prevent future disagreements, the traditional body recommended a stakeholders’ summit involving all relevant groups after this year’s festival. The proposed meeting, it said, would develop a clear operational framework for future editions of the event and define the roles and responsibilities of all parties.
Ndi Eze-Ji also appealed for support to provide new ceremonial uniforms for members of the institution, noting that the current attire has been in use for more than two decades and no longer reflects the prestige of the revered traditional body.
Despite the controversy surrounding preparations for this year’s event, the institution said it remains committed to ensuring a peaceful and successful festival. It urged all stakeholders to place the interests of Mbaise above personal differences and work together to preserve one of the community’s most cherished cultural celebrations.
The leadership expressed confidence that with cooperation, mutual respect and adherence to tradition, the Iri-Ji Mbaise Cultural Festival would continue to grow as a symbol of unity, cultural pride and a major tourism attraction for Imo State and Nigeria.
