Chief Barrister Tochukwu Ogalagu, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate for Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections, has felicitated the people of Izhi Nnodo Clan on the occasion of the 2026 Ojiji Izhi (New Yam Festival), urging them to consolidate their bonds of unity, peace and collective progress.
Ogalagu, in a goodwill message issued on Friday, described Ojiji Izhi as a significant cultural institution that transcends the ceremonial presentation and consumption of the year's first yam harvest, stressing that the festival embodies the people's shared ancestry, agricultural heritage, resilience, communal solidarity and enduring cultural identity.
The APGA candidate, who identified himself as a grandson of the Izhi Clan from Amike Izhia Ngbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, said he was particularly proud to identify with and participate in the year's celebration.
According to him, the festival provides an important platform for the Izhi people to reconnect with their roots, preserve their cultural heritage, celebrate the fruits of labour and reinforce the bonds of brotherhood across communities and generations.
Ogalagu urged sons and daughters of Izhi to embrace tolerance, mutual respect, forgiveness and constructive dialogue, irrespective of their political affiliations, personal convictions and other areas of difference.
He cautioned against allowing political disagreements and individual interests to undermine the fundamental bonds of kinship, insisting that the collective interest of the Izhi people should remain paramount.
“Our political affiliations, personal convictions and other differences should never be allowed to destroy the bonds of kinship that unite us,” he said, while urging the people to uphold the principle of “live and let live.”
Ogalagu maintained that Izhi's considerable human and material resources could only be effectively harnessed for sustainable development in an atmosphere of peace, unity and cooperation.
He identified peace as a critical foundation for stimulating development, investment, education, agriculture, youth empowerment and broader socio-economic advancement across Izhi communities.
He consequently called on traditional rulers, community leaders, youths, women, professionals and other stakeholders to deepen collaboration and pursue a common development agenda capable of translating the clan's potential into tangible benefits for present and future generations.
The politician also urged the people to build bridges of understanding rather than walls of division, stressing that every son and daughter of Izhi should be given the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the clan.
On the grand finale of the 2026 Ojiji Izhi celebration, Ogalagu expressed optimism that the event would be more sophisticated, colourful and memorable, describing it as an opportunity to showcase the richness of Izhi culture, hospitality, unity and progressive spirit.
He said the celebration should go beyond cultural pageantry to inspire renewed commitment to peace, love, tolerance, communal solidarity and collective prosperity.
Ogalagu further urged the people to use the festival as an occasion to renew their commitment to one another and to the welfare and future of younger generations.
He prayed that the 2026 Ojiji Izhi would bring abundant harvests, peace to the communities, prosperity to families and renewed hope to the people.
“Let the drums of Ojiji Izhi echo not only the joy of a new harvest, but also the message of peace, love, unity, tolerance and collective prosperity,” he said.
Ogalagu wished all sons and daughters of Izhi Clan a successful and peaceful 2026 Ojiji Izhi celebration, while expressing confidence that the festival would further strengthen the cultural bonds and collective aspirations of the people.
