Global award-winning author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has explained that her consistent support for presidential hopeful Peter Obi, is driven by his selfless leadership and genuine commitment to Nigeria’s progress.
Speaking on Channels Television’s programme, Amazing Africans, on Monday, Chimamanda said the former Governor of Anambra State and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party doesn’t need to be Nigeria’s president to continue to touch positively on humanity.
She described Obi as a rare politician not driven by ego or desperation for power.
“He (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.
“There are people who are desperate to become president, not because they have any good intentions for the country, but because of their egos,” she stated.
The celebrated international novelist said her unwavering support for Obi is based on her belief that Nigeria can achieve more with the right leadership.
“My support is rooted in my love for this country and the belief that with the right leader, we can be better than we are,” she said.
Chimamanda highlighted Obi’s humility and values as qualities that distinguish him from other politicians, stressing that Peter Obi was accountable to the people he governed.
“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,” she added.
Reflecting on their long-standing relationship, Adichie described the Labour Party leader as “one of the simplest men I have 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 added.
When asked about Obi’s political future, Adichie said she preferred not to speculate.
“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 said.
Chimamanda was a prominent supporter of Obi during Nigeria’s 2023 presidential election. Her endorsement, which included social media posts, a birthday tribute, and an official video, gained wide attention.
In a 2022 birthday message, she referred to Obi as “my big bro” and expressed confidence in his vision for the country.
Following the election, in which Obi came third behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chimamanda wrote an open letter to U.S. President Joe Biden, criticising the credibility of the polls and warning against recognising what she described as a deeply flawed process.
