A public affairs analyst, Paschal Oluchukwu, has urged Igbo elites in Ebonyi State to desist from politicising cultural traditions.
He disclosed this in a statement on Saturday.
This comes as elites, particularly from Ezza in Ebonyi, recently used the celebration of the Okeaku New Yam Festival to make political statements.
Reacting, Oluchukwu warned that the Igbo traditions should not be used as a platform for politics.
“I am deeply worried that rather than follow and observe the procedural and age-known cultural and traditional protocols in announcing a date and celebrating our new yam festival, a group gathered to celebrate Okeaku without the honest and proper directive, counsel, or approval of the elders who are the custodians of the rich cultural heritage we are known for as a people.
He urged the elites in Ebonyi to refrain from acting in such a manner in the future, either for cheap political gain or otherwise.
“To this end, therefore, we counsel Ezza Elites to be very careful with their actions and activities, as they carry heavy consequences both culturally, politically, morally, and otherwise,” he stated.
