Respected Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Ontisha has lamented how the activities of criminal elements aka unknown gunmen has crippled the region’s economy.
The traditional ruler made the remark on Saturday during his 22nd Ofala Festival held in Onitsha, Anambra state.
Speaking on the political and economic situation around the country, Igwe Achebe said “state and non-state actors all masquerading as unknown gunmen” are responsible for the worsening economic situation in the region.
He explained that the failure of the country to conduct the last general election satisfactorily is largely responsible for the level of insecurity in the country, adding that the poverty in the country has been made worse following the removal of petrol subsidy by the federal government in May this year.
He slammed the government for rushing to remove the subsidy pain on petrol without adequate consultation with Nigerians on the issue.
Achebe’s remark: “The last 12 months have been most eventful for our dear country, dominated largely by the politics of national elections that took place in February this year. The outcome of the presidential elections, which has been upheld by the Presidential Elections Petitions Tribunal has been further challenged at the Supreme Court.
“Furthermore, the civil society organisations have announced an extended civil disobedience agenda to ‘occupy Nigeria’ in protest against the non-transparency of the presidential election process and the ruling of PEPT.
“The uncertainty that now prevails would have been averted if INEC had convincingly conducted transparent elections with the massive resources at its disposal.
“This has further been complicated by the continuing security concerns in most parts of the country following the eight years of the previous administration, the early economic measures by the new administration, including the unilateral removal of fuel price subsidy without a backup strategy are seriously deepening the hardship in the country.
“It is particularly affecting the lower rungs of the society and in effect, the country is at a dangerous crossroads politically, economically, socially and security-wise.
“In the South-East, we have the aftermath of the last general elections, the complex and protracted security situation involving kidnappers, political thugs, state and non-state actors all masquerading as unknown gunmen as well as the crippling economic strangulation of the region arising from the insecurity and the ill-advised sit-at-home that has cost Ndi Igbo incalculable losses,” he said.
