Why Igbos struggle in Nigerian politics — Pete Edochie

Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has stirred reactions across Nigeria with his outspoken comment on the political fate of Igbo men in national positions.

In a recent interview with Afia TV, the veteran actor argued that Igbo men are unsuitable for political leadership due to their unwillingness to tolerate betrayal.

Edochie, emphasised that politics requires a particular endurance to backroom intrigues, shifting allegiances, and treachery—qualities he feels the ordinary Igbo man lacks.

“An Igbo man is not a good politician … 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”

He expanded, saying once hurt, an Igbo political figure cuts ties and withdraws—never patching things up. Such behavior, he argued, undermines the long-term alliances essential for winning elections in Nigeria’s cutthroat political environment:

“If you hurt the Igbo man once … he will never give you an opportunity to hurt him again … he will recoil himself.”