The 2023 Igu-Aro festival of Enugwu-Ukwu community in Njikoka local government area of Anambra State witnessed a show of shame and display of rascality as supporters of Sen. Uche Lilian Ekwunife and Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo disrupted the festival with a free for all fight.

Daily Independent reports that the fracas which halted the annual cultural festival was said to have been ignited when the incumbent Senator representing Anambra-Central in the Senate and candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2023 Anambra-Central senatorial election, Uche Ekwunife and her supporters forced themselves into the arena with PDP flags and umbrellas even when announcements were made that no such thing should come into the arena as it was not a political rally.

Meanwhile Ferdinand Dozie Nwankwo who is currently representing Dunukofia, Njikoka and Anaocha Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, who also doubles as the APGA candidate for the 2023 Anambra-Central senatorial election, was patiently waiting outside the civic centre together with his supporters, having been directed not to bring in APGA flags into the cultural carnival.

But Uche Ekwunife who was accompanied by Rita Edochie, a popular Nollywood actress and other supporters broke the protocols and forced themselves into the Igu-Aro festival with PDP flags and other items.

This ignited an uproar in the arena and prompted Dozie Nwankwo and his supporters to do likewise thereby turning the Igu-Aro Enugwu-Ukwu festival into a war front as supporters of both candidates closed-in on themselves amidst security interventions.

However, Uche Ekwunife’s action was totally condemned by the elders and traditional institution of Enugwu-Ukwu community as some people attested to the fact that it was Sen. Uche Ekwunife’s stock in trade to cause confusion and rancour at events such as the Igu-Aro Enugwu-Ukwu festival. Uche Ekwunife and her supporters vacated the arena in the midst of the frenzied atmosphere.

Chief Chika Nwana, Chairman Umuagwu village Enugwu-Ukwu, who spoke with journalists about the fight between Uche Ekwunife and Dozie Nwankwo’s supporters, said no one ever expected that such would happen. Nwana noted that even though it is the season of political activities, that politicians should endeavour to accommodate themselves and avoid shedding blood.

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