The traditional ruler of Obosi Kingdom in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, Igwe Chidubem Iweka III, has called for urgent measures to tackle erosion in the state, urging residents to support Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s efforts to address the growing environmental challenge.
The monarch also cautioned politicians against resorting to violence in their quest for political offices ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the struggle for power must not come at the expense of human lives.
Igwe Iweka made the call while speaking with journalists after the Obiora Obosi Festival in his community.
He urged residents to adopt environmentally friendly practices, including planting trees, disposing of refuse properly, avoiding the blockage of drainage channels and refraining from constructing buildings on gutters.
According to him, although erosion control requires sustained efforts over time, residents must begin implementing preventive measures immediately to prevent further environmental degradation.
The monarch recalled that Governor Soludo had convened a stakeholders’ meeting to discuss ways of addressing the erosion menace in Anambra State.
He described as alarming the governor’s warning that the state could face severe erosion threats within the next 40 to 50 years if decisive action was not taken.
“That was a very serious statement. And it is not far-fetched because we already see it manifesting,” he said.
Iweka called on Ndi Anambra to embrace the government’s recommendations, including the construction of catchment pits in residential compounds, proper waste disposal, increased tree planting and an end to indiscriminate tree felling.
He expressed concern that trees were being cut down faster than new ones were planted, warning that the trend could worsen the state’s environmental challenges.
The monarch also criticised the growing practice of clearing vegetation around residential buildings and replacing natural surfaces with interlocking stones, noting that the loss of vegetation could affect the ecological balance.
He stressed that protecting the environment required collective responsibility from the government, communities and individual residents.
On the forthcoming 2027 general elections, Igwe Iweka warned political aspirants against desperation, saying the pursuit of public office should never justify killings, intimidation or other criminal activities.
He lamented the reported cases of missing persons and gruesome killings associated with election periods, describing such incidents as disturbing and unacceptable.
The monarch questioned the leadership capacity of politicians who resorted to violence against the same people they intended to govern.
“If a man who is aspiring to become a political leader has the mind to kill one to three persons among the people he is aspiring to lead, what kind of leadership is he going to deliver?” he asked.
He further condemned clashes among political supporters and attacks on rival aspirants, urging politicians to focus on presenting credible ideas, policies and programmes to the electorate rather than using violence to gain political advantage.
Iweka reiterated that the 2027 elections should not be treated as a do-or-die affair, calling on all political actors to conduct their campaigns peacefully and respect the lives, rights and dignity of other Nigerians.
He urged residents and political stakeholders to work towards peaceful elections while supporting collective efforts to protect Anambra State from the growing threat of erosion.
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