At two key points in the novel, Obierika shows that he is loyal to his friend. Loyalty is evident in his actions—although, he often voices his disagreement with Okonkwo’s ideas or even disapproval of his actions. The two men come from very different positions in their attitudes toward social change and adherence to traditions, but Obierika frequently sets aside abstractions to demonstrate the importance of their individual relationship. The emotional side of loyalty and the conflicts overtaking actions against his friend are combined to show Obierika as a steadfast friend.
One of those points occurs when Okonkwo is drawn into a horrible murder. Although Okonkwo loves the boy Ikemefuna like a son, the village’s Oracle decrees that Ikemefuna must be sacrificed. Despite his misgivings, Okonkwo ends up participating in the killing with the final blow. Although Obierika cannot understand why Okonkwo’s choice, he reassures him by saying that he would follow the Oracle’s command if necessary.
Another place where the reader sees Obierika’s loyalty is when he helps Okonkwo to survive. While Okonkwo goes into exile after killing Ezeudu’s son, he is disconnected from his properties back home. This sequence is where we see the depth of the conflict that Obierika faces between his loyalty to his people and his friend. Initially, it seems he is rejecting his friend, as he reflects on the turn of events. Only a few hours after he see Okonkwo flee, Obierika reflects, he has to help burn down his house. But he makes up for this by taking care of his friend’s yams and getting the profits to him in his mother’s land.
Obierika is a respected man of Umuofia and he shows his loyalty to Okonkwo by being his advisee, though Okonkwo, who is stubborn and headstrong, rarely listens to his wise friend's good advice. Obierika is a person who always thinks before acting, whereas Okonkwo acts before thinking. Obierika is not afraid of the powerful Okonkwo and always speaks his mind about Okonkwo's rash actions, such as his participation in the death of Ikemefuna. Obierika always looks out for the best interest of his rash friend. He remains loyal to Okonkwo when he is banished from the village for his accidental killing of the son of Ezeudu. He does so by visiting Okonkwo in his mother's land to bring him news of the changes in Umuofia, including the news that his son has converted to the white man's religion. While Okonkwo is in exile for seven years, Obierika continues to till Okonkwo's land and sells his yams for profit as well as sells his yam seeds to sharecroppers to ensure Okonkwo is able to continue to care for his family in exile and on his eventual return to Umuofia. He even deliveries bags of heavy cowries to Okonkwo in exile. Even when Okonkwo kills himself, a disgraceful act according to the laws of the Igbo people, Obierika stands up for his friend.
“It is an abomination for a man to take his own life. It is an offense against the Earth, and a man who commits it will not be buried by his clansmen. His body is evil, and only strangers may touch it. That is why we ask your people to bring him down, because you are strangers.”
It is against Igbo traditions to give a person who has committed suicide a proper burial. Obierika appeals to the colonists to give his friend a proper burial, as the only people who can touch Okonkwo's body are strangers. He states that his friend deserves a proper burial and tells the District Commissioner, “That man was one of the greatest men in Umuofia. You drove him to kill himself; now he will be buried like a dog”.
Obierika is Okonkwo's closest friend and a respected member throughout Umuofia. Obierika demonstrates his loyalty to Okonkwo by continually giving him advice and helping Okonkwo throughout his exile. Following the death of Ikemefuna, Obierika has a conversation with Okonkwo, where he mentions that Okonkwo should not have played a role in Ikemefuna's death. He then warns Okonkwo about the dangers of challenging the Oracle's authority. Obierika's concern for Okonkwo and his words of wisdom illustrate his loyalty. In chapter 15, Obierika travels to Mbanta carrying heavy bags full of cowries to give Okonkwo. While Okonkwo is living in exile, Obierika has been watching over his friend's compound, harvesting his yams, and selling them for profit. Obierika promises Okonkwo that he will continue to look after his estate and bring him money while he is in exile. Obierika's loyalty is demonstrated in his willingness to help Okonkwo while he is living in Mbanta.
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