Obi of Onitsha laments N7.6tn S’East economic loss to insecurity

The Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, has cautioned Nigerian politicians against abandoning governance in pursuit of political alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that such actions could worsen the country’s economic and social crises.

According to a Vanguard report on Friday, the Anambra monarch disclosed this at the 2025 Ofala Festival in Onitsha.

There, the monarch lamented that political attention across the country had already shifted toward 2027 while millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with hunger, poverty, and insecurity.

“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 is a distinct impression that these efforts are largely for the self-preservation and material benefit of those in the game,” Achebe said.

He expressed concern that ordinary Nigerians were paying the price of neglect as hardship deepens nationwide despite ongoing economic reforms.

Quoting the latest World Bank report, the monarch noted: “Our poverty rate has risen from 40 percent in 2018 to 46 percent in 2023, translating to about 104 million Nigerians now classified as poor.

“The reality on the ground is dire. The unending violence in most parts of the country continues to affect the agricultural sector very seriously.

Achebe urged the government to ensure that relief materials and social support reach the intended beneficiaries directly, without being hindered by bureaucracy or corruption.

Turning to the South East, the monarch expressed deep concern over the continued insecurity and its economic impact on the region, describing the recent conviction of Finland-based separatist agitator Simon Ekpa as a potential turning point.

“The scourge of violence and kidnapping in the South East continues to mutate in different forms. We pray that the recent conviction in Finland of Simon Ekpa will contribute to the general reduction of violent crime in the region,” he said.

Citing a recent report by SBM Intelligence titled Four Years of Disruption, the Obi revealed that the South East economy had lost about ₦7.6 trillion since 2021 due to insecurity and the sit-at-home disruptions.

“This is the 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 warned.

On the upcoming Anambra off-cycle governorship election slated for next month, Achebe called for peace, transparency, and voter participation, lamenting the poor response recorded in the ongoing voter registration exercise.

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.

While commending the Federal Government for implementing “laudable macroeconomic stabilization measures,” the Obi urged authorities to ensure transparency and fairness in distributing palliatives to the most vulnerable citizens.