ENUGU, Nigeria — Veteran Nigerian actor Pete Edochie has offered a cultural explanation for what he describes as the political challenges faced by Igbo men, citing an aversion to treachery as a significant barrier to their success in the nation’s political landscape.
Speaking in an interview on Afia TV, the renowned Nollywood star said that Igbo individuals often struggle to maintain political alliances once trust has been broken, a disposition he attributes to deeply ingrained cultural values around loyalty.
“An Igbo man is not a good politician. And I will tell you why,” Edochie said.
“People who are used to politics or the treachery that characterises politics, can overlook a lot of things. But the Igbo man is not constituted to condone treachery a second time.”
Edochie explained that once betrayed, the typical Igbo person is unlikely to continue any political association with the individual responsible.
“If you hurt the Igbo man once in politics, he will never allow you to hurt him again. He will recoil himself. That’s the average Igbo man,” he added.
He stressed that this cultural rigidity makes it difficult for Igbo politicians to navigate the often complex and transactional nature of Nigerian politics.
“The Igbo man is not constituted to sustain political treachery. The moment you exhibit treachery in your involvement with an Igbo man, they cut you off. That’s it,” Edochie said.
The comments have sparked debate across social media, with some agreeing that the political temperament of many Igbo leaders tends to favour principle over compromise, while others argue that political adaptability is essential in a diverse and evolving democracy like Nigeria.
Pete Edochie, widely respected for his long-standing influence in the Nigerian entertainment industry, is also known for his forthright commentary on sociopolitical issues, particularly those affecting the southeastern region.
