Renowned Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, has stated that the desire of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to become president is not born out of desperation or personal ambition, but from a genuine concern for Nigeria.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Amazing Africans, Adichie said Obi “doesn’t need to be president” but wants to serve because he cares deeply about the country and believes in its potential.
“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 said.
Adichie explained that her support for Obi is rooted in his “selfless leadership” and “commitment” to Nigeria, as well as her own belief that with the right leadership, the country can move forward.
The award-winning writer praised Obi’s humility and sense of public accountability, describing him as a leader who doesn’t see service as a favour to the people.
“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 said.
Adichie also reflected on her long-standing relationship with Obi, saying his values have remained unchanged for over 15 years.
“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 said.
She, however, declined to speculate on how she would feel if Obi does not eventually become the presidential candidate, 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.”
