The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has strongly criticized the Nigerian political class, warning that their immediate focus has dangerously shifted toward plotting for the 2027 general elections at the expense of addressing the severe economic and social crises plaguing the nation.1
Highlights of the Monarch’s Criticism:
- Neglect of Governance: Speaking during the 2025 Ofala Festival in Onitsha, Anambra State, the monarch lamented the “distinct impression” that politicians are abandoning their duty of governance to forge early alliances and pursue personal ambition ahead of the next polls.2
- Deepening Hardship: Igwe Achebe warned that this neglect of pressing issues is actively worsening the hardship faced by ordinary Nigerians, with hunger, poverty, and insecurity continuing to afflict millions.3 He cited the significant rise in the country’s poverty rate.
- Impact on Security and Economy: He pointed to the continuing violence and insecurity across the country as severely affecting the agricultural sector, and noted that the South-East economy alone has lost trillions of Naira due to instability and the forced sit-at-home disruptions.4
- Call for Transparency in Reforms: While acknowledging that the Federal Government is implementing “laudable macroeconomic stabilisation measures,” the Obi urged authorities to ensure transparency and fairness in the distribution of economic palliatives to guarantee that relief materials reach vulnerable citizens directly, rather than being derailed by corruption.5
- Alarming Voter Apathy: The traditional ruler also expressed alarm over the low voter turnout in the ongoing voter registration exercise, particularly in the South-East, calling for urgent mobilization by leaders to ensure political participation.6
The Obi’s statement serves as a potent advisory to the political elite to prioritize the welfare and security of the populace over self-serving political maneuvering.
