The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, has voiced deep concern over the escalating violence and crippling economic hardship sweeping across Nigeria, particularly noting the devastating toll it has taken on the Southeast region. The revered monarch estimated that the scourge of insecurity, fueled by violence and kidnappings, has cost the Southeast a staggering 7.6 trillion since 2021.
Speaking in Onitsha, Anambra State, during the 24th annual Ofala festival, themed “Njiko na Ntachi” (Unity and Perseverance), Igwe Achebe acknowledged the festival’s growing international profile while offering a moment for profound reflection. He expressed hope that the recent conviction of separatist agitator Simon Ekpa in Finland would contribute to a meaningful reduction in violent crime across the region.
The theme of the festival, the Igwe explained, was deliberately chosen to remind citizens of the paramount importance of community resilience. By embracing unity and perseverance, the community aims to foster a stronger sense of belonging and uphold its enduring communal values. The monarch also affirmed his confidence that the festival would soon achieve the highly distinctive recognition of a world heritage cultural festival by UNESCO.
However, the celebratory mood was tempered by grim national realities. Igwe Achebe lamented that the damage to the Nigerian economy has grown astronomically across all sectors. Citing the SBM Intelligence Report titled ‘Four Years of Disruption,’ published in May 2025, the Obi of Onitsha highlighted the estimated 7.6 trillion lost since 2021 due to imposed disruptions. “This is a moment for deep reflection among Ndigbo,” he stated. “Nigeria and the world are leaving us behind due to the deliberate actions of a few purveyors of violence among us.”
The monarch pointed specifically to the growing hardship occasioned by the nation’s worsening economy, a situation he believes is being aggravated by the premature diversion of attention by the political class to the 2027 general elections. This hardship, he noted, has pushed an increasing number of ordinary Nigerians below the poverty line. He referenced the latest World Bank development update on Nigeria, which indicates that the poverty rate has surged from 40 percent in 2018 to 46 percent in 2023, classifying an estimated 104 million people as poor, up from 79 million.
“The reality on ground is very dire, particularly with regards to basic essentials such as food, medication, transportation and house rent,” the Igwe stressed, adding that the crisis is compounded by unending violence in most parts of the country, which severely impacts the agricultural sector.
Igwe Achebe urgently called on the government to make swift provisions for the poorest segment of the population. He urged authorities to provide targeted palliatives that can directly reach the intended beneficiaries without being sidelined by bureaucratic red tape, even as the government pursues its macroeconomic stabilization measures. He noted with concern that the attention of the political class has become practically fixated on the upcoming 2027 polls, revealing a distinct impression that these efforts are largely for “the self preservation and material benefit of those in the game.”
Finally, the traditional ruler touched on the critical need for mobilization ahead of the Anambra State off-cycle governorship election slated for November 8. He expressed alarm over the evident apathy among residents in the ongoing voter registration exercises, noting that in the first week of the INEC registration, only 2,482 persons pre-registered online across four Southeast states, excluding Anambra, compared to 848,359 in the Southwest. “This is alarming and demands urgent mobilization by our leaders,” he warned.
