The Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, has called on people of the South East States to shake off their historical apathy towards elections ahead of the January 2027 general polls.

He argued that it would be folly for the people of the region to stay away from elections and later turn around to complain of marginalisation. The monarch spoke at the weekend, at the Imeobi Palace Onitsha, while delivering his address during the 25th Ofala Festival on the throne of Ezechima.

He said, “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 democracy, all votes count. Therefore, we must come out and vote for our candidates.”

The Royal Father also called for violence free elections in 2027 and charged the political actors to engage in issue based campaigns and robust debates on good governance.

“The national elections are barely three months away. Expectedly, the attention of the political class has increasingly turned to political positioning, and away from governance.

“Democratic elections are opportunities for the electorate to select the candidates that would deliver the best governance. It is, therefore, imperative for non-partisan stakeholder groups, including the traditional and religious institutions, town unions, and the civil society organisations, to intensify their advocacy, mobilisation and enlightenment for free and fair elections.

“Also, the political parties must abhor violence and engage in healthy, issues-based campaigns to enable the electorate to make the right choices. Except for the reports of violence and intimidation, the recent off-cycle governorship election in Osun State demonstrated robust campaign, massive turnout by voters, and a reasonable performance by the Independent National Election 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 stated.

While lamenting increasing hardship in the country, which he said had thrown more citizens below poverty line, Achebe regretted that the situation was worsened by unending insecurity in most parts of the country.

“We plead with Mr. President to give urgent attention to the dire situation on the ground” he stated. (The Sun)