The Obi-in-Council of Onitsha, Anambra State, has announced that the kingdom will remain politically neutral in the forthcoming Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8, 2025.
In a statement issued on Tuesday in Onitsha by the council’s Chief of Staff, Osita Anionwu, the body emphasized that the historic commercial city would not endorse or support any candidate, stressing its commitment to peace and unity above partisan politics.
Anionwu explained that while individual indigenes of Onitsha have every constitutional right to support any political party or candidate of their choice, such participation must be done strictly in their personal capacity and not on behalf of the community or any constituent group.
“Some Onitsha indigenes, including titled chiefs and group leaders, have been invited to attend political campaign rallies. It must be made clear that they do so as private citizens, not as representatives of the community,” the statement read in part.
The council reaffirmed that Onitsha’s foremost priority remains communal peace and cohesion, noting that all constituent groups within the kingdom would maintain a non-partisan stance while continuing to cooperate with duly elected governments at all levels.
It added that in a multi-party democracy like Nigeria’s, every citizen enjoys the freedom to belong to any political association or attend campaign events without fear, coercion, or discrimination.
“Our people are mindful of their rights under the constitution,” the council stated.
“They are free to support any party of their choosing, but the community as an entity will not be drawn into partisan alignments.”
The council further urged eligible voters in Onitsha to participate actively in the election by registering and voting for candidates of their choice, emphasizing that no individual has the authority to speak or act politically on behalf of the entire community.
It also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to guarantee a peaceful, credible, and transparent election in the state.
“For communal harmony and the collective well-being of our people, all Onitsha constituent groups will remain politically neutral but will continue to support and cooperate with legitimate governments at all levels,” the council concluded.
