By Prince Ebube Mbah
Mbaise is a clan in Imo State in Southeast, Nigeria which comprises of Aboh, Ahiazu and Ezinihite Local governments. The name “Mbaise” meaning “five clans” represents “Agbaja, Ahiara, Ekwereazu, Ezi na Ihitte and Oke uvuru clans. SimIlar to most parts of Imo State, , Mbaise people are predominantly farmers who major in palm, yam, cassava, corn and livestock.
Every harvest season, Ndi Ezeji, traditional rulers and sons of daughters Mbaise nation gather to celebrate the New Yam festival to herald the commencement of the harvest season. This age long event, which takes place every 15th of August, attracts dignitaries from every part of the country who turn up to celebrate the rich culture.
In recent times, Governor Hope Uzodinma in cahoots with disgruntled politicians in Imo State have made attempts at politicising the ancient festival, thereby giving way to induced divisions and factions for political gains. Between 2014 and now, this trend has taken an ugly dimension and has been reoccurring at every Iriji Mbaise preceding an election year.
This year 2022, Ndi Ezeji, Mbaise Traditional Rulers and Ezuruezu Mbaise; the apex sociocultural governing body of Mbaise came together and reached an agreement not to host an elaborate with fanfare. This is as a result of the mood of the state, following the recent killings and other issues of insecurity in the state. They encouraged all Mbaise sons who so desire to perform the Iriji festival at their individual homes.
Instead, Imo State government made arrangements with some wait-and-take traditional tittle holders to package and deliver a chieftaincy title to Governor Hope Uzodinma, to dorn a borrowed robe as a friend of the Mbaise nation.
Douglas House sources revealed that over N1.7billion was deployed to bribe various interest groups for the purchase of the highly priced chieftaincy tittle.
Mbaise nation is intact. They cannot be fooled. The people of Imo state are in solidarity with Mbaise Nation in the face of intimidation and desecration of Mbaise Land by Governor Uzodinna.
May Imo Prevail.
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