Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has stirred widespread debate following his bold claim that Igbo men are not naturally suited for politics. Speaking in an interview with Afia TV, the respected thespian argued that despite the Igbo being among the most industrious and enterprising ethnic groups in Nigeria, they have continuously failed to make significant political strides.
He lamented that since Nigeria’s independence, only one Igbo man—General Aguiyi Ironsi—has held the position of Head of State, while other regions have produced multiple national leaders. He also clarified that former President Goodluck Jonathan, often mistaken for being Igbo, is from the Ijaw ethnic group.
Blaming the South-East’s limited political influence on the mindset of the average Igbo politician, Edochie said many do not understand the value of compromise, alliances and political strategy needed to thrive in Nigeria’s complex power structure. He explained, “An Igbo man is not a good politician. And I will tell you why, people who are used to politics or the treachery that characterised politics, can overlook a lot of things. But the Igbo man is not constituted to condole treachery a second time. If you hurt the Igbo man once in politics, he will never give you an opportunity to hurt him again. He will recoil himself. That’s the average Igbo man.”
He added, “The Igbo man is really 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 warned that calls for an Igbo presidency would continue to hit a wall if pursued without strategic partnerships with other ethnic groups. While acknowledging that the Igbo possess the intellectual and moral capacity to offer transformational leadership, he stressed that internal disunity and cultural decline have weakened their political influence.
His remarks have sparked a wave of reactions, with some describing his words as a painful truth, while others insist they reinforce negative perceptions. Yet, for many, the actor’s comments reflect a deep-rooted concern about the need for the South-East to re-strategise and reclaim its place in Nigeria’s political landscape.