Ihite Community Faces Crisis Over New Yam Festival Date

A crisis is developing in Ihite Community, Orumba South Local Government Area, Anambra State, following Chief Timothy Okwudiri Ifurunwa's announcement of the Ihejioku Ihite 2026 festival, scheduled for September 29, 2026. This announcement comes despite a court order that annulled his coronation as traditional ruler, which was contested by the Ihite Traditional Council.

The council, which claims to be the legitimate body for selecting the king, argues that they were excluded from the selection process and that Ifurunwa's actions are illegitimate. They have petitioned the Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, and the Anambra State Police Command, requesting a halt to the festival to prevent potential unrest.

The council's lawyer, N.I Onyeakpa (Esq), emphasized that the council has been performing traditional functions since the death of the previous ruler in 2020 and that Ifurunwa's actions are a violation of ongoing legal proceedings regarding the throne.