Pete Edochie: Igbo Men Not Built for Politics

Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has sparked widespread debate following his claim that Igbo men are not naturally suited for politics due to their low tolerance for political betrayal.

Speaking in a recent interview with Afia TV, the revered actor said the average Igbo man lacks the temperament to navigate the treachery that often defines Nigerian politics.

“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.”

He added: “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. The moment you exhibit treachery in your involvement with an Igbo man, they cut you off. That’s it.”

The statement, which was also highlighted by The Nation Nigeria on its official X account on Wednesday, July 24, 2025, has triggered intense discussions online. While some users agreed with Edochie’s assessment, citing the region’s fractured political strategies, others pushed back, saying his remarks oversimplify a complex issue and risk further alienating the South East politically.

One social media user wrote: “That’s why no Ibo man can form a political party and turn it into a national party,” a sentiment that reflects longstanding debates about Igbo political influence in the country.

Pete Edochie, known for his cultural advocacy and iconic film roles, has yet to clarify his comments amid the ongoing backlash and conversation