The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has issued a grave warning to Nigeria’s political class, cautioning them against abandoning the critical task of governance in favour of pursuing political alliances for the upcoming 2027 general elections. Speaking during the 2025 Ofala Festival in Onitsha, the paramount ruler lamented that the attention of politicians has already become diverted towards 2027, driven largely by a focus on “self-preservation and material benefit.” This distraction, he warned, threatens to significantly worsen the nation’s deepening economic and social crises.
The monarch pointed out that while the political scramble for power begins, millions of ordinary Nigerians continue to suffer from debilitating hunger, widespread poverty, and pervasive insecurity. He provided sobering statistics to illustrate the severity of the economic hardship, citing a recent World Bank report which indicates that Nigeria’s poverty rate has dramatically risen from 40 per cent in 2018 to 46 per cent in 2023. This increase translates to approximately 104 million Nigerians now classified as poor. Furthermore, the persistent violence plaguing much of the country is severely impacting the agricultural sector, compounding the food crisis.
In his address, Obi Achebe implored the government to take immediate action, particularly by ensuring that vital relief materials and social support are delivered directly to the intended beneficiaries. He stressed the need for transparency, urging the authorities to bypass unnecessary bureaucracy and corruption that often prevent aid from reaching those most in need.
Shifting focus to the regional challenges, the traditional ruler expressed profound concern over the escalating insecurity in the South East, where violence and kidnapping continue to mutate and inflict economic damage. He noted the recent conviction of Finland-based separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, expressing hope that this judicial development would serve as a potential turning point toward reducing violent crime in the region.
However, the consequences of past disruptions remain stark. The monarch cited an SBM Intelligence report, which estimated that the South East economy has suffered a massive loss of approximately ₦7.6 trillion since 2021 due to the sustained effects of insecurity and enforced “sit-at-home” directives. He delivered a serious caution to the people of the region, known as Ndigbo, warning that the deliberate actions of a few “purveyors of violence” are causing Nigeria and the rest of the world to leave them behind. He called for a moment of deep reflection among the community to address the self-inflicted damage.
