Concerns As Ifeanyi Uba’s Burial Is Shrouded In Controversy Amidst Violence, Spiritual Claims

By Chuks Eke

Nnewi, Anambra State – The burial of late Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah has been overshadowed by controversy and violence, sparking heated debate about Igbo tradition and the role of spiritual beliefs in the region.

The planned November 22nd burial was preceded by threats from suspected Biafra agitators who warned against attendance, threatening to exhume the body if the burial proceeded at his Nnewi family home.

These threats culminated in a Wednesday gun attack in Nnewi, leaving several injured and vehicles ablaze.

While police deny a connection between the attack and the burial, the incident has fueled existing tensions.

The controversy has drawn sharp reactions from prominent Igbo figures. Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, spiritual leader of Igbo land, offered condolences to the bereaved family, expressing shock at Ubah’s death.

He, along with others, attributes the unrest to the negative spiritual consequences of delaying burials, a practice deeply rooted in Igbo tradition and culture.

Comrade Damian Ogudike, a human rights crusader and Chairman of Abia state Indigenes resident in Anambra state, expressed concern about the internal conflict within the Igbo community.

He advocated for a postponement of the burial to allow for dialogue and reconciliation before proceeding with the ceremony.

Ezeonwuka, however, placed the blame squarely on the widespread practice of storing bodies in mortuaries for extended periods.

He argued this practice, contradicting traditional Igbo beliefs, unleashes disembodied spirits, causing unrest and violence among the youth.

He drew a parallel to the abolition of the “bucket system” of waste disposal during the Buhari/Idiagbon administration, suggesting that the current practice of delaying burials is equally harmful and needs immediate attention.

“A dead body has no place in the land of the living,” Ezeonwuka stated in a Twitter post.

He further argued that storing corpses pollutes the environment and spreads disease, drawing a comparison to the dangers of improperly disposing of human waste.

He called for the closure of mortuaries and the immediate burial of all deceased individuals, believing this to be the only path towards restoring peace and prosperity in Igbo land.

He stressed the importance of adhering to traditional practices of prompt burial followed by funeral ceremonies.

The conflicting narratives surrounding Senator Ubah’s burial highlight the complex interplay between tradition, political activism, and spiritual beliefs in shaping events within the Igbo community.

The incident raises questions about the future of peaceful coexistence and the need for dialogue to address deep-seated cultural and political issues.