Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has issued a direct and emotional warning to the people of the Izhi Nnodo clan, urging them to stop the indiscriminate sale of ancestral lands, family compounds and burial grounds, warning that such practices could turn them into strangers in their own homeland. The governor made the plea at the weekend in Amagu, the ancestral home of Izhi Nnodo, during the grand finale of the Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival, where he also cautioned against the erosion of indigenous values in the name of religion, modernisation or political convenience.
Speaking in his Izhi dialect, Nwifuru described ancestral land not merely as a commodity but as the embodiment of the history, identity and shared memory of a people. He urged families to hold onto inherited properties for future generations, warning that the sale of such lands would sever the bond between the living and their ancestors. "I have seen situations where people sell not only family lands but even the burial grounds and ancestral compounds of their fathers, grandfathers and great-grandfathers," Nwifuru said. "Such actions are regrettable because they disregard the sacrifices and struggles through which our ancestors secured these lands." The governor's words carried the weight of a man who has watched the gradual erosion of a heritage that his people hold sacred, and his message was as much a plea as it was a lament.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over land speculation and the commodification of ancestral properties in Ebonyi State. In recent years, the region has seen a surge in land transactions driven by urban expansion, the demand for real estate, and the willingness of some families to sell off inherited properties for quick cash. The governor's intervention reflects a broader anxiety about the loss of cultural identity that accompanies the sale of ancestral land, particularly when the buyers are strangers to the community. Nwifuru appealed to elders, traditional rulers, youths and religious leaders to protect the cultural heritage of the clan, stressing that the people must distinguish between legitimate cultural traditions and practices that violate religious or moral principles. "Many have confused religion for tradition and have failed to locate the difference between the two," he said. "There is a sharp demarcation between the two, and they do not conflict and clash in their operations."
The governor identified respect for elders, dignity of labour, hard work, peace, unity and communalism as some of the core values that historically defined the Izhi people. He warned against allowing political disagreements to tear the clan apart ahead of the 2027 elections, saying political contests should not destroy ancestral bonds or communal relationships. Nwifuru said those seeking elective positions on opposition platforms were free to exercise their democratic rights but urged them to pursue their ambitions peacefully and in the interest of the people. He equally cautioned against what he described as the use of social media to provoke political crises, insisting that legitimate grievances should be addressed through appropriate channels. "People should not leverage social media to castigate our leaders and deny our sincere performances all in the name of politics," he said.
Defending his administration's record, Nwifuru said Ebonyi had witnessed significant infrastructure development under his watch, particularly in the road sector. He said the state had completed more than 500 kilometres of roads across the 13 local government areas, including roads connecting other states with span bridges. He expressed shock that some people were claiming his administration had done nothing in three years, and he urged citizens to distinguish between legitimate political criticism and deliberate attempts to deny the achievements of the government for political purposes. The governor subsequently urged the people to support the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 elections, expressing confidence that the party would secure victory across the state. He said his administration's political objective was to consolidate its development agenda and deliver electoral victories for APC candidates from the presidency to the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly.
The Ojiji Izhi New Yam Festival provided the backdrop for the governor's remarks. The festival, which celebrates the harvest and the cultural heritage of the Izhi people, attracted traditional rulers, community leaders and sons and daughters of the clan from across the country. The Chairman of the event, Edward Nkwagu, said the ancestors of Izhi had deliberately instilled virtues such as good morals, sincerity, forthrightness, industry, justice, equity and fairness in their descendants. He expressed concern that modernity and Western influences were gradually eroding these values, particularly among the youth. He lamented what he described as the growing involvement of young people in questionable activities, noting that many had become touts masquerading as real estate agents. His words echoed the governor's warning, reinforcing the message that the sale of ancestral land is not merely an economic transaction but a cultural and spiritual betrayal.
The governor's warning is not the first time he has addressed the issue of ancestral land in Ebonyi State. In September 2024, the Amegu community in Abakaliki Local Government Area officially declared a ban on the sale and purchase of land within their ancestral homes, citing the need to preserve their heritage. The community's decision reflected a growing awareness that ancestral land is a finite resource and that its sale to outsiders could lead to the displacement of the original inhabitants. Nwifuru's intervention at the Ojiji Izhi festival builds on that grassroots movement, using his platform as governor to amplify the message and lend it the weight of his office. As the 2027 elections approach, the governor's emphasis on cultural preservation and communal unity is likely to remain a central theme of his administration's messaging, as he seeks to consolidate his political base and secure the support of the Izhi people for the APC.
For the people of Izhi Nnodo, the governor's words are a reminder that the land beneath their feet is more than a piece of real estate. It is the resting place of their ancestors, the foundation of their identity, and the inheritance they will pass on to their children. To sell it is to sell a part of themselves. Whether the warning will be heeded remains to be seen, but Nwifuru has made his position clear: the graves of the fathers must not become the property of strangers.
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