Anambra Poll:Onitsha Traditional Council Condemns Use of Masquerades for Campaigns!
Reported by Marian Opeyemi Fasesan | Sele Media Africa
Ahead of the November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State, the Onitsha Traditional Council—Ime Obi Onicha—has issued a stern warning against the politicisation of masquerade traditions for campaign activities.
Key Highlights:
- In a statement issued in Onitsha, the council said using masquerades for political rallies “desecrates ancestral customs” and undermines the spiritual essence of the cultural practice.
- The council reaffirmed that masquerades are sacred symbols of ancestral presence and not tools for political theatrics.
- Offenders risk sanctions ranging from public denouncement to traditional penalties, including being barred from community rites.
Why It Matters:
- Masquerades are deeply respected across Igbo land, especially in Onitsha, where they play roles in festivals and rituals.
- The warning signals rising concern over how culture is being co-opted for political gain in the South-East.
- With electioneering heating up, the Ime Obi is calling on politicians to respect local traditions and focus on issue-based campaigns.
Cultural Stake:
This move reinforces efforts by traditional authorities to protect indigenous practices from modern political manipulation.
