Veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has given an honest opinion on the political landscape of the country as the 2027 presidential polls draw close.

The 76-year-old thespian offered an unfiltered opinion about why Igbo politicians often struggle to thrive in Nigeria’s political terrain.

The veteran thespian explained that Igbo men are not naturally wired to succeed in politics because they lack one thing most politicians depend on: the ability to tolerate betrayal.

“An Igbo man is not a good politician. People who are used to politics or the treachery that characterizes politics can overlook a lot of things. But the Igbo man is not constituted to condole treachery a second time.”
Pete Edochie

According to the Nollywood star, once an Igbo politician is betrayed, whether by a colleague, party, or ally, that’s the end of the relationship. No second chances, no strategic patience. Just total withdrawal.

The actor’s remarks come at a tense moment in Nigeria’s political scene, especially as talks around the 2027 presidential election are beginning to surface.

Peter Obi, the Labour Party candidate in the 2023 polls and an Igbo man from Anambra state, remains a major political force, even after finishing third behind President Bola Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar

For many supporters, Obi represents a new kind of leadership, but for critics, he also embodies the challenges of forging long-term political alliances across Nigeria’s regions.

Nigerians divided over Pete Edochie’s comments.

“But Igbo’s are more dubious than any other tribe I’ve met. I’m talking from experience. However, their ladies tend to be more straightforward in dealing with. They’re too emotional for politics.”
@MrKankara

“Abeg, go and rest, Pete, with all due respect! Is there more dubious, fraudulent, and treacherous in this world than an Igbo man?”
@angelbertnde101

“The Igbo man is not constituted to condone treachery. People who are good at politics are good at condoning treachery.”
@velele17

“Meaning an average Igbo person is highly principled.”
@bummyla:

Actor Claims Seniority over Pete Edochie in Acting

Popular Nollywood actor, Yemi Solade, disclosed that he started acting before veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie.

Solade said this while sharing experience and history on his journey in the Yoruba section of the industry after his episode on a show.

“I’m senior to Pete Edochie, I started acting before him, though he’s older than me. I was 17 in 1977 when I represented Nigeria as the Youngest Actor, and I’ve done 48 years in the industry and still standing.”
Yemi Solade

The actor explained how other sections within Nollywood had been documenting their works in cassettes and advertising them for other people to purchase.

According to him, that the Yoruba industry did not start documentation earlier does not mean others should take credit for starting the Nollywood industry.

“The first Nigerian, Ade Ajiboye ‘Big Abass’, was the first home video in this country. We’ve been doing it; there was a film, the celluloid and everything. We had the likes of Ogundes, we had Baba Salas, we had Ade Afolayans, Kunle’s father; we had Dr Ola Balogun, who is still around, and so many other big names, most of them are gone now.

“Even when home video was starting, it was just an experiment that was carried out by the likes of Muyideen Alade Aromire. We were all doing this drama, and then they just brought this camcorder, let’s record what we are doing, which was documented on a cassette and was arranged on bookshelves. So, you, as a shop owner, would introduce the cassette for people to buy; it all started like that.”
Yemi Solade

He further explained how the Yoruba industry didn’t document their work earlier, which made others think they’ve been in the game for long.

“My people in the Yoruba setting didn’t document anything; that was why the other people in the industry just stepped in to say they started it. ‘Hey shut up’; when people like us are here, we will let you know you didn’t start anything.

“They could say that because they romance the media but the Yoruba industry was just acting. Most of them weren’t schooled; they didn’t know anything about the media, and they enjoyed themselves. Adebayo Salami is alive; he will tell you a deeper story that I’m telling you, he’s older than me. Jide Kosoko is alive, we all work together.”
Yemi Solade