Tension is brewing in Okon Aku community, Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, following the ban on the annual Iri-Ji (New Yam) festival of the Okon Aku Traditional Herbs and Roots Practitioners, popularly known as Dibia Okon-Aku.
The herbalists, who described the ban as “unlawful and unconstitutional,” have vowed to resist any attempt to stop the festival scheduled for Saturday, September 20, 2025.
In a petition addressed to the community’s traditional ruler, HRH Eze Ndukwe Iko, and copied to Governor Alex Otti and security agencies, the practitioners—through their lawyer, N.B. Kalu, Esq.—demanded an immediate reversal of the decision. They argued that the ban violates their fundamental rights to freedom of worship and association as guaranteed under Sections 38 and 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The controversy reportedly stemmed from the exclusion of one of their members, Chief Uche Ikenga, from the festival. The herbalists alleged that when they refused to excommunicate him without justification, a blanket ban was imposed. They further claimed that attempts were made to disrupt their first Iri-Ji outing on September 16 with threats of arrest and detention, despite their association being duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
“Such intimidation and harassment violate Nigeria’s status as a secular state where no group is empowered to impose religious or cultural beliefs on others,” the petition read in part.
The group urged the Abia State Government and security agencies to intervene, investigate the legality of the ban, and provide security during the celebration to prevent a breakdown of law and order. While pledging to conduct their festival peacefully, they warned of legal action if harassment persists.
When contacted, HRH Eze Ndukwe Iko defended the decision, citing security concerns. He accused the native doctors of previously imposing a 30-day curfew on the community, which he said infringed on the rights of other residents.
“The ban was because of a security challenge. The native doctors place a curfew in the community for 30 days, which infringes on the rights of others. The council of Ezieogos, made up of 23 compounds, met and resolved to stop the festival to avoid possible clashes, especially between Christians and native doctors,” the monarch said.
He noted that a similar incident in 2024 nearly resulted in fatalities and warned against destabilizing the community.
“They are under the community, not the other way round. Whatever they want to do should be done in their private homes, not in public,” he insisted.