The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, has lamented the rising starvation, poverty and insecurity in Nigeria.
Achebe who spoke through the 2025 Ofala Competition in Onitsha, Anambra State, noticed that political consideration throughout the nation had already shifted towards 2027, whereas hundreds of thousands of Nigerians proceed to endure.
He cautioned Nigeria’s political class in opposition to abandoning governance in pursuit of early political alliances forward of the 2027 normal elections, warning that such actions may worsen the nation’s financial and social crises.
Studying his Ofala handle, the monarch stated: “The eye of the political class has turn out to be actually diverted to the 2027 normal elections. New alliances are being cast as political fortunes rise and fall.
“There’s a distinct impression that these efforts are largely for the self-preservation and materials profit of these in the sport.”
He expressed concern that extraordinary Nigerians have been paying the worth of neglect as hardship deepens nationwide regardless of ongoing financial reforms.
“Our poverty price has risen from 40 p.c in 2018 to 46 p.c in 2023, translating to about 104 million Nigerians now categorized as poor,” he stated, quoting the newest World Financial institution Growth Report on Nigeria.
Achebe famous that the state of affairs was worsened by spiraling prices of meals, transportation, lease, and medicine, compounded by insecurity and violence which have crippled agricultural manufacturing throughout a number of elements of the nation.
“The truth on the bottom is dire,” the monarch stated, including, “The endless violence in most elements of the nation continues to have an effect on the agricultural sector very critically.”
Whereas acknowledging that the Federal Authorities was implementing “laudable macroeconomic stabilization measures,” the Obi urged authorities to undertake clear and corruption-free approaches in distributing palliatives to essentially the most susceptible residents.
“Authorities should make sure that reduction supplies and assist attain the supposed beneficiaries straight, with out being sidelined by paperwork or corruption,” he cautioned.
Turning to the South-East, the monarch expressed deep fear over the continued insecurity and its financial influence on the area, citing the current conviction of Finland-based separatist agitator Simon Ekpa as a potential turning level.
“The scourge of violence and kidnapping in the South-East continues to mutate in totally different kinds. We pray that the current conviction in Finland of Simon Ekpa will contribute to the overall discount of violent crime in the area,” he stated.
Achebe cited an SBM Intelligence report titled “4 Years of Disruption,” which estimated that the South East economic system had misplaced about N7.6 trillion since 2021 attributable to insecurity and sit-at-home disruptions.
“That is the second for deep reflection amongst Ndigbo. Nigeria and the world are leaving us behind because of the deliberate actions of a number of purveyors of violence amongst us,” he warned.
On the upcoming Anambra off-cycle governorship election slated for subsequent month, the monarch referred to as for peace, transparency, and voter participation, lamenting the apathy proven by residents of the South East in ongoing voter registration workouts.
“Within the first week of the INEC registration train, solely 2,482 individuals pre-registered on-line throughout 4 South East states, excluding Anambra, in comparison with 848,359 in the South West. That is alarming and calls for pressing mobilization by our leaders,” he stated.
Regardless of the somber nationwide temper, the 2025 Ofala Competition retained its conventional splendour, with dignitaries, conventional rulers, and guests from inside and outdoors the nation in attendance.
Marking his twenty fourth Ofala celebration since ascending the throne of Ezechima in 2002, Achebe urged Nigerians to stay resilient and united.
“Our theme final 12 months was ‘Higher. Stronger. Collectively.’ It was a name on our individuals to consolidate on our breakthroughs and provoke for the challenges forward. That message stays as related right now as ever,” the monarch maintained.
