The Onitsha Traditional Council, popularly known as Ime Obi Onicha, has condemned in strong terms the recent use of masquerades for political campaigns ahead of the November 8, 2025, Anambra State governorship election.
In a statement released on Wednesday by the Chief of Staff to the Obi of Onitsha, Chief Osita Anionwu, the Ike Akatakwuani of Onitsha, the council described the act as a “blatant desecration” of the revered cultural values and traditions of the Onitsha people.
Chief Anionwu expressed displeasure over viral videos and photos showing political candidates parading with masquerades who were seen openly endorsing them. He said such actions not only violate traditional norms but also set “a dangerous precedent that threatens the sanctity and neutrality of Onitsha’s cultural institutions.”
“For centuries, our people have preserved a rich cultural heritage that balances modernity with tradition. Masquerades are sacred embodiments of our ancestors, central to our spiritual and communal life. Their involvement in politics is a direct affront to our ancestral values,” he stated.
The council also raised concerns about the infiltration of non-native masquerades into Onitsha for political activities, insisting that such practices are alien to the kingdom’s customs.
“We are disturbed by the growing trend of external interference in Onitsha’s cultural practices. Masquerades from outside Onitsha have no place in our traditional system. Their use for political manipulation is unacceptable,” the statement added.
The traditional body urged political aspirants and their supporters to respect the sacredness of Onitsha’s cultural symbols and desist from using them for partisan purposes.
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It further called on security agencies to work closely with the traditional institution to prevent a recurrence of such incidents during the electioneering period.
“Politicising cultural institutions can breed unnecessary tension and division among our people,” the council warned. “We call on all indigenes of Onitsha to remain united and safeguard the integrity of our traditions.”
The statement reaffirmed the council’s commitment to defending the values that define the Onitsha identity, even in the face of modern political pressures.
