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Obi of Onitsha: Governance Taking a Backseat as 2027 Political Maneuvering Takes Center Stage

Published by admin on October 18th, 2025.

Obi of Onitsha: Governance Taking a Backseat as 2027 Political Maneuvering Takes Center Stage

The Obi of Onitsha, His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has raised the alarm over the growing neglect of governance as political leaders across Nigeria increasingly shift focus to positioning themselves for the 2027 general elections.

Speaking at the 2025 Ofala Festival in Onitsha, Anambra State, the respected traditional ruler criticized the political class for prioritizing early campaign strategies and alliance-building over addressing the country’s deepening socio-economic crises, including widespread poverty, hunger, and insecurity.

He cautioned that this early obsession with electoral ambitions, at the expense of meaningful governance, could aggravate the challenges confronting millions of citizens and push the country toward greater instability.

“The political class appears to have moved on from their current responsibilities, focusing instead on future elections,” Igwe Achebe said. “Many of these political moves seem motivated by self-interest and personal gain, while ordinary Nigerians continue to suffer under worsening living conditions despite promises of economic reform.”

He pointed to alarming data from the World Bank, noting that poverty has risen from 40% in 2018 to 46% in 2023, now affecting around 104 million people. According to the monarch, ongoing violence in various regions is crippling agriculture and further compounding economic woes.

Turning his attention to the South-East, Igwe Achebe expressed serious concern over the impact of insecurity on the region’s economy. He referenced a report by SBM Intelligence, Four Years of Disruption, which estimates that the South-East has suffered losses of up to ₦7.6 trillion since 2021 due to unrest and enforced sit-at-home orders.

He described the recent conviction of Finland-based separatist agitator Simon Ekpa as a potentially significant moment. “We hope this development will lead to a reduction in violence and a reawakening among our people. The South-East must reflect deeply—our region cannot continue to be left behind due to the destructive actions of a few.”

Looking ahead to the November 8 Anambra governorship election, the Obi urged for a peaceful, transparent process and encouraged citizens to participate actively, noting with concern the low turnout observed in the ongoing voter registration exercise.