The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has expressed deep concern over the worsening hardship and increasing poverty across Nigeria.

Describing the situation as “critical and deeply troubling,” Igwe Achebe, who spoke during the 24th Ofala Festival at his palace, Ime-Obi, Onitsha, also decried the growing political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He noted that emerging political alliances appear to be driven by selfish interests rather than the welfare of ordinary Nigerians.

Highlighting the rising insecurity across the country, particularly in the South-East, the monarch urged authorities to intensify efforts to combat violence and restore peace.

He said the theme of this year’s Ofala Festival, “Njikọ na Ntachi” (Unity and Perseverance), reflects the nation’s economic hardship and underscores the need for empathy, resilience, and collective resolve.

Quoting recent data, Igwe Achebe observed: “According to the latest World Bank Development Update on Nigeria, the national poverty rate has surged from 40 percent in 2018 to 60 percent in 2023, rising from 79 million to 104 million people now living in poverty.”

He lamented the difficulty many Nigerians face in accessing basic necessities such as food, healthcare, transportation, and housing, warning that escalating violence was crippling the agricultural sector.

While acknowledging ongoing government macroeconomic stabilization efforts, the traditional ruler called for more targeted interventions to cushion the effects of hardship on vulnerable citizens.

“We urge the government to urgently provide relief measures and palliatives that will directly reach those most in need, bypassing bureaucratic bottlenecks that often derail such efforts,” he said.

On the political scene, Igwe Achebe faulted leaders who have already shifted their focus to the 2027 elections.
“The political class appears to have shifted its focus entirely to 2027. New alliances are being formed not in service of the people, but for self-preservation and material benefit,” he stated.

He expressed optimism that the recent conviction of Simon Ekpa in Finland would help reduce violence and kidnapping in the South-East, even as he lamented an intelligence report estimating about ₦7.6 trillion in economic losses in the region due to insecurity and violent disruptions since 2021.

Igwe Achebe urged the Igbo community and all Nigerians to reflect on the damage caused by the actions of a few and work together toward building a peaceful and prosperous future.