Achebe raised the concerns in his royal message marking the 2026 Ofala Festival, titled “Celebrating 500+ Years of the Onitsha Monarchy.”
The monarch cited a World Bank development update which estimated that about 104 million Nigerians were living in poverty in 2023, noting that the situation had been compounded by insecurity in several parts of the country.
He also recalled a recent meeting between the leadership of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu, during which the clerics reportedly expressed concern over the country’s security challenges and the economic difficulties confronting citizens.
According to Achebe, the issues raised by the bishops transcend political affiliations, religious beliefs and ethnic differences, requiring urgent and practical responses from the Federal Government.
“Hunger, unemployment, poor and inaccessible medical service, insecurity, and such other inadequate factors of human development, are pervading in the country. We plead with Mr President to give urgent attention to the fire situation on the ground,” the monarch said.
He appealed to Tinubu to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians, stressing that the country’s challenges demanded decisive action rather than political considerations.
Achebe maintained that addressing poverty, unemployment, inadequate healthcare and insecurity should remain central to governance, particularly as political activities begin to intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Monarch Warns Against Voter Apathy in South-East
On the forthcoming 2027 elections, the Obi of Onitsha observed that political attention was increasingly shifting towards positioning for elective offices, potentially distracting political leaders from their responsibilities to citizens.
He urged stakeholders to intensify advocacy, mobilisation and public enlightenment to promote free, fair and credible elections.
The monarch also called on political parties and their supporters to reject violence and embrace peaceful, issue-based campaigns that would enable voters to make informed decisions.
Achebe specifically urged people of the South-East to participate actively in the electoral process, warning that continued voter apathy could deepen the region’s political marginalisation and weaken its influence in national affairs.
He argued that the region could not afford to abstain from elections and subsequently complain about inadequate political representation.
“I call on the people of the South-East States to shake off their historical apathy towards elections. We cannot stay away from elections and turn around to complain of marginalisation. In democracy, all votes count. Therefore, we must come out and vote for our candidates,” he said.
The traditional ruler also urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure that the 2027 elections were conducted transparently and credibly.
He stressed that public confidence in democracy depended largely on the integrity of the electoral process and the ability of the electoral umpire to guarantee a level playing field for all political parties and candidates.
Calls for Focus on Governance
The monarch reiterated his appeal to President Tinubu to give urgent attention to the hardship facing Nigerians, insisting that national problems should be addressed without discrimination based on political, religious or ethnic affiliations.
He said the government should concentrate on delivering practical solutions to the challenges confronting citizens rather than allowing the political atmosphere surrounding the next general elections to overshadow governance.
Achebe’s remarks come amid continuing national debates over the cost of living, insecurity, unemployment and access to essential public services.
ONAF to Review Community Development Efforts
On community development, the Obi of Onitsha highlighted the activities of the Onitsha Advancement Foundation (ONAF), an initiative established to implement programmes aimed at improving the welfare and development of the community.
He disclosed that, after five years of operation, the foundation required a comprehensive review of its achievements, operational processes and overall impact.
According to the monarch, the proposed assessment would help determine the effectiveness of its programmes, identify gaps and establish areas requiring improvement.
He explained that the review would also provide an opportunity to reposition the organisation, strengthen its activities and ensure that its interventions deliver better outcomes for the people.
Achebe’s message combined concerns over Nigeria’s economic and security situation with a call for greater political participation, credible elections and sustained efforts to improve community welfare.
