The conventional ruler of the Onitsha Kingdom, Obi Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, has mentioned it will be delusional for Nigerians to place all their hopes and belief within the authorities, insisting that citizens must additionally strive to help themselves.
Achebe acknowledged this throughout this yr’s conventional Ofala Festival, which was held on Friday at Ezechima Square in Onitsha. He mentioned that, for years, issues had failed to change and that there was a necessity for folks to do what they may to advance their very own causes legally.
The monarch mentioned his admonition was drawn from the successive themes of the occasion in earlier years, together with the 2026 theme, “Igbambo, Iganiru,” which interprets into English as “strive and advance.”
He mentioned: “In 2023, we had the theme: ‘Better. Together. Stronger.’ It was a name for consolidation on our breakthroughs whereas galvanising for future challenges. In 2024, ‘Courage. Perseverance. Self-reliance: Onye kwe, Chi’e ekwe’ was a mirrored image on the prevailing hardship, and an expression of empathy and encouragement for our folks to endure the hardship by way of their attitudes, dedication and actions. Last yr was ‘Njikoka na Ntachi: Community Resilience.’
“The last 10 years have been very challenging for our country. Thus, it would be delusional for us to place our hope and reliance entirely on the government. Accordingly, these reinforcing themes call on Ndi Onicha to summon those enduring attributes that sustained our ancestors at moments of difficulty in order to survive the prevailing hardship while upholding our dignity as a people. We have no option but to strive and advance.”
The monarch additionally mentioned the Osun State governorship election ought to function a benchmark for the 2027 common elections, whereas calling on Igbo folks to take part en masse within the forthcoming polls.
He mentioned: “The nationwide elections are barely three months away. Expectedly, the eye of the political class has more and more turned to political positioning, and away from governance.
“Democratic elections are alternatives for the citizens to choose the candidates that might ship the most effective governance. It is, due to this fact, crucial for non-partisan stakeholder teams, together with conventional and non secular establishments, city unions and civil society organisations, to intensify their advocacy, mobilisation and enlightenment efforts without cost and truthful elections.
“Also, the political events must abhor violence and interact in wholesome, points-primarily based campaigns to allow the citizens to make the correct selections.
“Except for stories of violence and intimidation, the current off-cycle governorship election in Osun State demonstrated sturdy campaigning, an enormous voter turnout and affordable efficiency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The election has grow to be a marker for the approaching nationwide elections, and all eyes are on INEC to ship free and truthful outcomes.
“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 a democracy, all votes count. Therefore, we must come out and vote for our candidates.”
