The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, has issued a stark warning that the South-East region is being economically crippled and left behind by the rest of Nigeria and the world, revealing that the zone has suffered a staggering ₦7.6 trillion loss due to insecurity and sit-at-home disruptions since 2021.
The revered monarch delivered this sobering assessment while also cautioning the nation’s political class against abandoning urgent governance responsibilities in pursuit of alliances for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at the 2025 Ofala Festival in Onitsha, Anambra State, Igwe Achebe lamented that political attention has been dangerously diverted while millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with severe hardship.
“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,” the Obi stated.
He expressed profound concern that the political manoeuvring was not for the public good, noting, “There is a distinct impression that these efforts are largely for the self-preservation and material benefit of those in the game.”
The traditional ruler underscored the dire reality facing ordinary citizens, highlighting that the ongoing economic reforms have yet to alleviate their suffering.
He cited a recent World Bank report to illustrate the escalating crisis, noting, “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.” He directly linked this worsening poverty to the national security crisis, explaining, “The reality on the ground is dire. The unending violence in most parts of the country continues to affect the agricultural sector very seriously.”
Turning his focus to the South-East, the monarch’s tone grew more urgent as he detailed the devastating economic impact of the region’s unrest. Citing a recent report by SBM Intelligence titled Four Years of Disruption, he revealed the astronomical financial cost.
“The South East economy had lost about ₦7.6 trillion since 2021 due to insecurity and the sit-at-home disruptions,” he disclosed. This immense figure framed his grave warning about the region’s declining fortunes. “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,” the Obi declared.
He expressed a cautious hope that the recent conviction of Finland-based separatist agitator Simon Ekpa could mark a pivotal moment for the region. “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,” Achebe said.
On the upcoming Anambra off-cycle governorship election, the monarch made a passionate plea for peace and greater civic engagement. He voiced his alarm over the poor voter registration turnout in the South-East compared to other zones. “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 urged.
While commending the Federal Government for implementing what he described as “laudable macroeconomic stabilization measures,” Igwe Achebe pressed for greater transparency in the distribution of relief materials. He insisted that support must reach the intended beneficiaries directly, “without being hindered by bureaucracy or corruption.”
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