Celebrated Nigerian author and global literary icon, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has stated that former presidential candidate Peter Obi is not motivated by ego or personal ambition but by a genuine desire to serve the Nigerian people.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Amazing Africans, Adichie emphasized that Obi does not necessarily need to become president but aspires to lead because of his deep concern for the country.
“Peter Obi doesn’t need to be president. He wants to be because he cares about Nigeria, but he doesn’t need to be. And that is a very important distinction,” she said.
“There are people who are desperate to become president, not because they have any good intentions for the country, but because of their egos.”
Adichie, known for her outspoken civic engagement and strong advocacy for good governance, stated that her unwavering support for Obi stems from her admiration for his selfless leadership, humility, and deep-rooted values.
She explained that her endorsement is driven not by political loyalty but by patriotism and a firm belief that Nigeria deserves principled and capable leadership.
“My support for Peter Obi is rooted in my love for this country,” she said. “I believe that with the right leadership, we can be better than we are.
Peter Obi is not someone who expects you to thank him for doing his job as a leader, because to him it’s his job. There’s a sense, I think, in Peter Obi that he’s accountable to the people. He doesn’t think that somehow he will lord it over people.”
Reflecting on their personal relationship over the years, Adichie described Obi as one of the most consistent and sincere individuals she has ever known.
“The person I knew 15 years ago is still the same in terms of his values. He is genuine, consistent, and curious—qualities that I believe are essential in a leader,” she noted.
When asked how she would feel if Obi did not emerge as a presidential candidate in the future, Adichie declined to speculate, saying, “I don’t want to talk in specifics about how I will feel if he’s not the presidential candidate. I don’t want to think about that yet because we don’t know what will happen.”
The author’s remarks come as Obi continues to draw public attention with his political ideology, reform-driven rhetoric, and emphasis on citizen-focused leadership.
Her words further solidify the image of Obi as a figure driven more by principle than political ambition—a quality that has earned him admiration from diverse segments of the Nigerian public.
