– As Stakeholders Warns Against Commercialisation Of Chieftaincy Titles
Orlu Community in Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State has announced that its 2026 New Yam Festival (Iri Ji) will be celebrated on a low-key basis following the death of the community’s Traditional Prime Minister (TPM), Chief Patrick Achi who was also a witness to the TESAC land matter.Late Achi is said to be one of the few persons who agreed to testify against the community over ownership of the disputed land.
The community, which has recently been embroiled in controversies and litigation over the alleged forceful acquisition of a large expanse of its land following the relocation of the Orlu Campus of Imo State Polytechnic to Governor Hope Uzodinma’s hometown of Omuma, said the decision was taken out of respect for the late traditional leader.
The President-General of the community, Hon. Marcel Okereke, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists yesterday.
According to him, following widespread enquiries about this year’s New Yam Festival, he formally sought clarification from the traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Eze Patrick Acholonu, the Igwe of Orlu, regarding the palace’s plans for the celebration.
Okereke said, “In his response, His Royal Majesty informed me that this year’s New Yam Festival will be observed on a low-key basis in view of the painful loss of the Traditional Prime Minister (TPM), Chief Patrick Achi.
“In view of the above, this period calls for reflection, unity and respect for our cherished traditional and cultural values. I therefore appeal to all sons and daughters of Orlu, both at home and in the diaspora, to remain calm, exercise patience and continue to conduct themselves peacefully while awaiting the palace’s final directives concerning the festival.
“Let us place the collective interest of our community above every personal consideration. Together, through mutual understanding and unity, Orlu shall emerge stronger.”
Reacting to the development, a stakeholder in the community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, cautioned against the indiscriminate conferment of chieftaincy titles.
The stakeholder warned that the community should not be seen conferring chieftaincy titles on individuals of questionable character in the name of Orlu Community, stressing that the sanctity and integrity of the institution must be preserved.
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