Veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has explained why the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo remains his favourite Nigerian politician, describing the former Western Region premier as a leader with clear vision and a strong record of development.
Edochie made this known during an interview with Isbae U on the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast, where he also spoke about his admiration for the Yoruba people and his decades-long career in the entertainment industry.
Although he said he was not interested in politics, Pete Edochie singled out Awolowo as the politician he admired most.
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“I am not into politics, but if you asked me who is my favourite politician, I will tell you it is Awolowo. There is a reason for it,” he said.
Edochie explained that what distinguished Awolowo was his ability to clearly present his plans and explain how they would be funded.
“Awolowo will tell you, ‘I am going to build this thing, it will cost this amount, and this is where I will get it.’ There have been no politician to achieve that,” he said.
The actor also credited Awolowo with introducing several initiatives that were not previously available in Nigeria, particularly television broadcasting and free primary education.
“Awolowo introduced so many things in Nigeria that were not there previously. He brought television to Nigeria in 1959, and we in the East started using TV in 1960. He also introduced free primary education,” he said.
Edochie expressed regret that Awolowo never became president of Nigeria.
“Regrettably, he never became president,” he added.
The veteran actor also spoke warmly about the Yoruba people, noting his family’s connection to the ethnic group.
“I love the Yorubas a lot, one of my sons is married to a Yoruba girl,” he said.
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