…Slams presidential pardon for drug convicts
…Warns of growing hardship, insecurity
The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has decried the growing wave of political distractions across Nigeria, lamenting that many politicians have abandoned governance for early politicking ahead of the 2027 general elections – a trend he says is deepening poverty, insecurity, and hardship among citizens.
Speaking during the “2025 Ofala Festival’ in Onitsha, Anambra State, the revered monarch expressed concern that the political class has shifted its attention from nation-building to personal ambition and alliances.
“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 self-preservation and material benefit”, Achebe said.
He warned that this neglect of governance has come at a huge cost to ordinary Nigerians who continue to suffer the consequences of poor leadership. “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, according to the World Bank Development Report on Nigeria”, he noted.
The monarch also raised alarm over persistent insecurity, particularly in rural areas, which he said is crippling agricultural production and threatening food security. “The unending violence in most parts of the country continues to affect the agricultural sector very seriously”, he lamented.
While acknowledging that the Federal Government has introduced “laudable macro-economic stabilisation measures”, Achebe urged transparency and fairness in distributing palliatives, insisting that relief materials must reach the intended beneficiaries without corruption or bureaucratic obstruction.
Turning to the South-East, the Obi described insecurity in the region as a major obstacle to development and investment. He cited a report by SBM Intelligence which estimated that the region had lost about ₦7.6 trillion since 2021 due to violence and sit-at-home disruptions. “The scourge of violence and kidnapping in the South-East continues to mutate in different forms”, he said, expressing hope that the recent conviction of Simon Ekpa in Finland would help reduce violent crime in the region.
Achebe also expressed outrage over the Federal Government’s recent decision to pardon dozens of convicted drug offenders, calling the move a dangerous precedent that undermines the nation’s fight against crime.
“If the President can pardon drug convicts, then there’s no need for NDLEA. No need to arrest thieves or punish anyone again. Such political pardon sends the wrong message to Nigerian youths and emboldens criminals who now believe that crime pays – as long as you know the right people”, he said.
On the forthcoming Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, the traditional ruler urged peace, transparency, and higher voter turnout. He expressed concern over poor participation in the ongoing voter registration exercise, revealing that only 2,482 people had pre-registered online across four South-East states, excluding Anambra, compared to 848,359 in the South-West.
Despite the challenges, Achebe said the 2025 Ofala Festival – his 24th since ascending the throne in 2002 – remains a symbol of resilience, unity, and cultural pride.
“Our theme last year was: ‘Better. Stronger. Together.’,; It was a call on our people to consolidate our breakthroughs and galvanise for the challenges ahead. That message remains as relevant today as ever”, he stated.
