By Sunny A. David, Awka
Tension is reportedly mounting in Ihite Community, Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, following a dispute over the traditional rulership of the community and the planned celebration of its New Yam Festival.
The crisis followed the announcement of September 29, 2026, as the date for the community’s Ihejioku and New Yam Festival by Chief Timothy Okwudiri Ifurunwa, who was installed as the traditional ruler of Ihite in January 2026 after receiving a certificate of recognition from the Anambra State Government.
However, members of the Ihite Traditional Council have challenged the process that led to his emergence, alleging that they were excluded from the selection process.
The council subsequently approached the court over the matter and obtained an order from the State High Court sitting in Umunze, setting aside the coronation pending the determination of issues surrounding the selection of the traditional ruler.
Following the announcement of the proposed New Yam Festival, members of the disputed Traditional Council, through their lawyer, N.I. Onyeakpa, petitioned the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, through the Commissioner for Local Government, Town Union and Chieftaincy Affairs, Vin Ezeaka, as well as the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Nnanna Oji Ama.
The petition urged the state government and police authorities to intervene and halt the planned festival, warning that proceeding with the event amid the unresolved court case could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
The petitioners claimed that they were members of the authentic Ihite Traditional Council selected by the various villages in the community during the reign of the late traditional ruler, HRH Igwe B.O. Ofu Eze Amama I, who died in 2020.
According to them, the council had continued to perform traditional functions of the community, including determining dates for the annual New Yam Festival, in accordance with the existing Chieftaincy Constitution.
The petitioners further alleged that the President-General of the community, George Madu, and other individuals had unilaterally amended the community’s Chieftaincy Constitution and subsequently declared Ifurunwa the Igwe-elect.
They argued that the legitimacy of the traditional ruler and the composition of the Traditional Council remained subjects of litigation in Suit No. HOS/47/2024.
The petitioners also alleged that Ifurunwa had been presenting other persons as members of the Ihite Traditional Council while the status of their own council remained before the court.
They therefore described the decision to fix September 29 for the Ihejioku and New Yam Festival as inappropriate while the matter remained pending before the court.
The petition called on Governor Soludo, in his capacity as the Chief Security Officer of the state, to intervene, direct the parties to respect the rule of law and prevent any action that could trigger a crisis in the community.
The council further appealed to the police to maintain peace and ensure that the pending court proceedings were respected until the court delivers its decision on the dispute.
The controversy over the festival comes amid the broader unresolved disagreement over the rightful traditional leadership of Ihite Community.
