The Onitsha Traditional Council has strongly condemned the use of masqueraders to promote political candidates ahead of the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.
The council described the act as a clear violation of Onitsha’s traditions and an insult to the spiritual values that the masquerades represent.
In a statement signed by Osita Anionwu, Chief of Staff to the Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, the council said masquerades are sacred figures symbolising the presence of ancestors and play a vital role in the spiritual and communal life of the people.
Mr Anionwu warned that turning such cultural symbols into political tools could cause division and unrest within the community. He urged politicians and their supporters to respect the sanctity of Onitsha’s heritage and keep traditional practices free from political influence.
“The association of our cultural heritage with political movements or candidates undermines the spiritual authority and communal purpose of our cultural heritage. The traditional council views this development as a dangerous precedent that threatens the sanctity and neutrality of Onitsha’s cultural institutions. For centuries, the people of Onitsha have successfully preserved their unique cultural heritage, embracing modernity while maintaining the integrity of their traditions,” the statement read.
The council also called on security agencies to work closely with traditional authorities to prevent a repeat of such incidents. It expressed concern about the growing trend of outsiders introducing foreign masquerades into Onitsha’s cultural events, stressing that they have no place in the city’s traditional landscape.
“The Onitsha Traditional Council is fully committed to continuing to uphold and defend the cultural values that have always defined us as a people,” the statement concluded.
