Engr. Nwibe felicitates Igwe Achebe on 23rd Ofala
Chief Barth Nwibe, a frontline aspirant for the Nov. 8, 2025 governorship election in Anambra has congratulated Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha on his 23rd Ofala festival which also marked his 23 years on the revered Onitsha traditional stool.
Nwibe, a businessman and philanthropist in his message said Achebe was an epitome of royalty and traditional ruler who had attracted respect to not just Anambra but the entire Nigeria from across the world.
He thanked God for sustaining the life and health of the traditional ruler for the years he had mediated between the ancestors and people of Onitsha and more importantly giving him the wisdom with which he had discharged his duty.
The Labour Party governorship aspirant condemned the dissolution of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC) the umbrella body of the traditional ruler of communities in the state of which Igwe Achebe was Chairman.
He said the role of the traditional institution was more crucial now than ever such that instead of dismissing them for political reasons as Anambra did, they should be taken into confidence in the quest for solution to the numerous societal challenges.
Nwibe who condemned the overbearing influence of Anambra government in traditional institutions and community leadership said the politicisation of the processes of emergency was responsible for the crisis in most communities.
He commended the Onitsha people for their strong traditional institution they had maintained over the years while praying for God’s continued grace and guidance upon Igwe Achebe in many years to come.
“On behalf of me and my family, I wish to congratulate Your Rotal Majesty on your 23rd Ofala and pray for many more years in the throne in good health,” he said.
Recall that Igwe Achebe in his Ofala message said ASTRC had been unable to meet to deliberate on matters of interest to the state since March this year on the pretext that the council which was constituted and hitherto supervised by the State Government had suddenly become illegal.
Achebe said besides the inability of ASTRC to meet, the State traditional institution, consequently, had no mandate to participate in the affairs of the nation’s traditional institution at national or subnational levels.
“This is most unfortunate at this period that other States as well as the Federal Government and the National Assembly, are seriously seeking ways to enhance the relevance of the traditional institution in the country,” he said.
