Ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election, the Obi of Onitsha Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe has advised the people of South East to shake off their historical apathy towards elections.
Obi Achebe made the call in his address during this year’s Ofala festival celebrated on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Obi Achebe said Igbos 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 advised.
Assessing the trends in the nation, Igwe Achebe drew comparisons between 2024 and 2025, noting that things are even worse in 2026.
He lamented the politicisation of the views of Catholic bishops who visited President Bola Tinubu and raised the dire economic hardship in the country and urged the President to “give urgent attention to the dire situation on the ground”.
He decried unending insecurity in most parts of the country saying hardship has deepened since 2025 thereby throwing more people below poverty line.
Returning to 2027 elections, Obi Achebe urged non-partisan groups to intensify advocacy, mobilisation and enlightenment for free and fair elections.
He also urged political parties to abhor violence and engage in healthy, issue-based campaigns to enable the electorate make the right choices. This is because democratic elections are opportunities for the electorate to select the candidates that would deliver the best governance.
“Except for the reports of violence and intimidation, the recent off-cycle in Osun state demonstrated robust campaign, massive voter turnout by voters, and a reasonable performance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“The election has become a marker for the coming national elections and all eyes are on INEC to deliver free and fair outcomes,” he said.
On the theme of this year’s Ofala festival which is Igba mbo, Iga n’iru( strive and advance) Obi Achebe said it derived from the previous themes, noting that “the last 10 years have been very challenging for our country.”
