2027: No Political Force Can Divide Us, Says Nwebonyi at Ojiji Festival

By Uchenna Okeh, Abakaliki

The Deputy Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate and Senator representing Ebonyi North Senatorial District, Onyekachi Nwebonyi, has declared that the Izhi people are united, firm and indivisible

He insisted that no political development would undermine their collective resolve to advance the socioeconomic development of the area.

Nwebonyi made the declaration on Friday in Abakaliki while speaking with journalists during activities marking the 2026 Izhi New Yam Festival, popularly known as Ojiji Izhi.

The senator described the annual festival as a significant expression of the people’s cultural identity and ancestral heritage, saying it had become an important platform for strengthening unity among the various components of Izhi land.

According to him, yam occupies a central position in Izhi tradition, serving not only as a major source of food but also as a historical measure of wealth and social standing.

“Yam is equivalent to human being in Izhi tradition. It is not only the head of our food, but the basis of the measure of wealth in Izhi history,” Nwebonyi said.

He disclosed that he and other Izhi people had earlier visited Anmergo, which he identified as their ancestral home and place of origin, as part of activities marking the festival.

Nwebonyi said the visit afforded him a deeper appreciation of the cultural practices handed down by their ancestors, describing some of the traditional rites witnessed during the ceremony as remarkable.

Recounting his experience, the senator said the traditional leader, Ishuke, performed customary kola nut rites after receiving gifts presented by members of the delegation.

He explained that the ceremony involved the breaking and blessing of kola nuts in accordance with Izhi tradition, alongside the use of pepper and wine.

According to Nwebonyi, a male fowl later moved into the gathering and consumed some of the pepper and kola nut, an incident he described as a remarkable cultural experience that further deepened his appreciation of Izhi customs.

“We are all Christians, but we have our way of doing things the way our ancestors did it and the way we will do it to the end of time,” he said.

The senator stressed the need to preserve indigenous traditions and cultural identity despite the changing socio-political environment.

“I have added to my knowledge about culture, about who I am, about an Izhi man,” he stated.

Speaking on the political implications of the festival, which comes amid preparations for the 2027 general elections, Nwebonyi said the Izhi people would remain focused on development and would not allow political activities to undermine their unity.

“We will continue to develop Izhi land. We will continue to develop Ebonyi. You have seen what I did, and what you have seen is the tip of the iceberg,” he said.

On the role of the New Yam Festival in promoting unity and development, Nwebonyi said the traditional institution and various components of Izhi land had demonstrated a shared understanding of their responsibilities to one another.

“In summary, I can tell you we are united. We are firm. We are indivisible,” he declared.

He maintained that every component of the Izhi family understood its obligations and would continue to work collectively towards the advancement and development of the people.

“Every component of the family that makes up Izhi knows what is due and should be done, and we are doing that. Nobody will distract us because distracting us means going back to Egypt. We can’t go back to Egypt,” Nwebonyi said.

The Deputy Chief Whip further expressed confidence in the collective direction of the people, maintaining that Izhi land was moving forward in unity.

“We are now moving as united brothers under the leadership of Francis and Wilfred. So, we are good to go,” he added.

The 2026 Ojiji Izhi celebration brought together members of the Izhi community from different locations and served as a platform for the reaffirmation of cultural values, ancestral ties, communal solidarity and the preservation of the people’s rich traditional heritage.

As political activities gradually gathered momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections, the senator’s declaration underscored the determination of the Izhi people to safeguard their unity and cultural identity while collectively pursuing the development of Izhi land and Ebonyi State.