2025 Ofala: Obi of Onitsha Raises Alarm over Escalating Hardships, 2027 Election Gimmicks

By Praise Chinecherem

Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe on Friday decried growing hardship occasioned by worsening economy in the country.

He regretted that the hardship, prevalent among ordinary Nigerians had thrown more citizens below poverty line.

Speaking in Onitsha during the 24th Ofala festival themed, “Njiko na Ntachi” (Unity & Perseverance), Achebe said the situation was being worsened by diversion of attention of politicians to the 2027 general elections.

He called on government to make urgent provisions for the poorest, including provisions of palliatives and ensured they reached intended beneficiaries.

He said, “The reality on ground is very dire, particularly with regards to basic essentials such as food, medication, transportation and house rent.

“The situation is worsened by the unending violence in most parts of the country which affects the agricultural sector very seriously.

“Meanwhile, the attention of the political class has become literally diverted to the 2027 general elections. New alliances are being forged as political fortunes rise and fall.

“There’s a distinct impression that these efforts are largely for the self preservation and material benefit of those in the game.

“This year, we’re guided by prevailing hardship in the country. We thus acknowledge the situation as well as empathize and encourage the people to wade through these hard times.”

The monarch further lamented scourge of violence and kidnapping in Southeast, praying the recent conviction of Simon Ekpa in Finland would contribute to reduction to criminality in the region.

“Unfortunately, the damage to the economy has grown astronomically in all sectors of human endeavor.

“This is a moment for deep reflection among Ndigbo. Nigeria and the world are leaving us behind due to the deliberate actions of a few purveyors of violence among us,” he bemoaned.

On the upcoming Anambra off-cycle governorship election slated for next month, the monarch decried apathy by residents in ongoing voter registration exercises, calling for urgent mobilization.

“In the first week of the INEC registration exercise, only 2,482 persons pre-registered online across four South East states, excluding Anambra, compared to 848,359 in the South West.

“This is alarming and demands urgent mobilization by our leaders,” he said.

Expressing joy over the festival’s continued growth, attracting more visitors and media attention from Nigeria and abroad, Achebe was confident it would soon achieve highly distinctive recognition by UNESCO as world heritage cultural festival.