The Obi of Onitsha, HRM Alfred Achebe has appealed to the people of the South East to participate actively in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.
Achebe made the appeal on Saturday in Onitsha at the closing ceremony of the two-day 2026 Annual Ofala Festival.
He noted that the people of the South East had a responsibility to exercise their franchise as citizens of Nigeria, by actively participating in the elections to choose their leaders.
“As Nigeria prepares to go to the polls in 2027, all eyes are on INEC to deliver a free and fair elections.
“I therefore call on the people of the South East States to shake off their historical apathy towards election.
“We cannot stay away from elections and turn around to complain of marginalization.
In democracy, all votes count, therefore, we must come out and vote for our candidates”, Achebe said.
The royal father used the medium to call on all Nigerians to rise up and make good use of the opportunity provided by the upcoming 2027 election to participate actively in the political affairs of their nation.
He said that democratic elections were opportunities for the electorate to select the candidates that would deliver the best governance.
According to him, it is imperative for non-partisan stakeholders, including the traditional and religious institutions, town unions and the civil society to intensify their advocacy, mobilization and enlightenment for a free and fair elections.
The monarch urged all the political parties to abhor violence and engage in healthy, issue-based campaigns to enable the electorate make the right choices.
On the significance of the Ofala festival, the royal father explained that the 2026 festival marked the 25th anniversary of his ascension to the throne.
“This year Ofala festival, with the theme, “Igba mbo, Iga n’ iru,- Strive and Advance”, marks a celebration with thankfulness to God for bringing the people of Onitsha together in peace and good health.
“This is the period of our annual rituals of gratitude to God for blessings received, atonement for our shortcomings, and supplication for sustained peace and development in our kingdom,” Achebe said.
The two-day cultural festival featured a colourful display of the rich traditional and cultural heritage of the people of Onitsha.
The event was attended by eminent traditional rulers from within and outside the state, prominent Onitsha sons and daughters, both at home and in diaspora, and notable politicians from the state.
