The Onitsha traditional council has condemned the use of masquerades displaying Soludo’s campaign posters, calling it a violation of cultural sanctity and warning against politicizing sacred traditions.
The Onitsha traditional council, known as Ime Obi Onicha, has condemned the use of masquerades displaying Governor Charles Soludo’s campaign posters and slogans, describing it as a desecration of Onitsha’s cultural traditions.
Images of the masquerades, dressed in traditional regalia adorned with Soludo’s posters, have gone viral across Anambra State, sparking debates on the fusion of politics and culture ahead of the forthcoming election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Osita Anionwu, the Ike Akatakwuani of Onitsha and chief of staff to the council, said the act “sets a dangerous precedent” and undermines “the spiritual authority and communal purpose” of masquerades, regarded as sacred embodiments of ancestors.
The council alleged that the masquerades were “alien to Onitsha” and warned against external interference in local traditions. It urged political actors to respect cultural institutions and called on security agencies to prevent future occurrences.
Soludo has yet to comment on the matter.