Renowned Nigerian author, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has explained that her firm support for presidential hopeful Peter Obi is based on her conviction in his selfless leadership and deep commitment to Nigeria’s progress.
Speaking in an exclusive interview on Amazing Africans, a programme aired on Channels Television, Adichie praised Obi for his humility and sense of purpose, distinguishing him from many other politicians driven by ego and ambition.
“He doesn’t need to be president. He wants to be because he cares about Nigeria—but he doesn’t need to be. And that’s a very important distinction,” she said. “There are people who are desperate to become president, not because they have good intentions, but because of their egos.”
Adichie, a multiple award-winning author, emphasised that her support for the former Anambra governor is deeply personal and patriotic.
“It is rooted in my love for this country,” she stated. “I believe that with the right leader, we can be better than we are.”
Chimamanda further described Obi as a leader whose values, accountability, and humility set him apart in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“Peter Obi is not a person 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,” Chimamanda said.
Adichie has described Peter Obi as one of the most principled men she has ever known, praising his consistency and integrity over the years.
“The person I knew 15 years ago is still the same in terms of his values,” she said. “He is genuine, consistent, and curious—qualities that I believe are essential in a leader.”
While expressing strong belief in Obi’s character, Adichie refrained from speculating about future political outcomes. “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,” she stated.
Adichie was a vocal supporter of Obi during Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. Her public endorsement—through social media posts, a heartfelt birthday tribute, and an official campaign video—drew wide attention across the country. In her 2022 tribute, she referred to him as “my big bro” and expressed confidence in his vision for Nigeria.
Following the election, in which Obi placed third behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Adichie wrote an open letter to U.S. President Joe Biden. In it, she criticised the credibility of the polls and cautioned against endorsing what she described as a deeply flawed electoral process. Her appearance at the Presidential Election Tribunal in Abuja further underscored her support for the Labour Party candidate.
Peter Obi has since declared his interest in running for president again in the 2027 general election.
