During the 2025 Ofala Festival in Onitsha, Anambra State, His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha, issued a stern caution to Nigeria’s political class. He warned against the premature abandonment of crucial governance responsibilities in favor of forging political alliances for the upcoming 2027 general elections. The monarch expressed deep concern that this diversion of political attention could severely exacerbate the nation's existing economic and social crises, while millions of citizens continue to grapple with pervasive hunger, extreme poverty, and widespread insecurity.

Obi Achebe highlighted a distinct impression that these political maneuvers were primarily driven by motives of self-preservation and material gain for those involved in the political arena. He underscored the profound impact of this neglect on ordinary Nigerians, whose hardship continues to deepen nationwide despite various ongoing economic reforms. Quoting the latest World Bank Development Report on Nigeria, he revealed an alarming increase in the country's poverty rate, which surged from 40 percent in 2018 to 46 percent in 2023, effectively categorizing approximately 104 million Nigerians as poor.

The monarch further elaborated on the worsening situation, citing spiraling costs across essential sectors such as food, transportation, housing rent, and medication. These economic pressures are compounded by persistent insecurity and pervasive violence throughout the country, which have significantly crippled agricultural production in numerous regions. “The reality on the ground is dire,” Achebe stated, emphasizing that “The unending violence in most parts of the country continues to affect the agricultural sector very seriously.”

While acknowledging the Federal Government’s implementation of what he termed “laudable macroeconomic stabilization measures,” the Obi urged authorities to adopt approaches characterized by transparency and a complete absence of corruption in the distribution of palliatives designed to assist the most vulnerable citizens. He cautioned that “Government must ensure that relief materials and support reach the intended beneficiaries directly, without being sidelined by bureaucracy or corruption.”

Shifting focus to the South East region, the monarch voiced profound worry over the persistent insecurity and its devastating economic ramifications. He noted the recent conviction of Finland-based separatist agitator Simon Ekpa, expressing hope that this development “will contribute to the general reduction of violent crime in the region.” Citing an SBM Intelligence report titled “Four Years of Disruption,” Achebe revealed that the South East economy has suffered an estimated loss of approximately ₦7.6 trillion since 2021, primarily due to insecurity and the disruptive effects of sit-at-home orders. He appealed for deep reflection among Ndigbo, warning that "Nigeria and the world are leaving us behind due to the deliberate actions of a few purveyors of violence among us.”

Addressing the upcoming Anambra off-cycle governorship election scheduled for next month, Obi Achebe called for a peaceful, transparent electoral process and urged greater voter participation. He lamented the noticeable apathy displayed by residents of the South East in ongoing voter registration exercises, providing stark statistics: “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.”

Despite the prevailing somber national mood, the 2025 Ofala Festival itself maintained its traditional splendor, drawing numerous dignitaries, fellow traditional rulers, and visitors from both within and outside Nigeria. Marking his 24th Ofala celebration since ascending the throne of Ezechima in 2002, His Majesty Nnaemeka Alfred Achebe concluded by urging all Nigerians to remain resilient and united. He reiterated the theme from the previous year, “‘Better. Stronger. Together.’ It was a call on our people to consolidate on our breakthroughs and galvanise for the challenges ahead. That message remains as relevant today as ever.”