Veteran actor Pete Edochie has named the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the first Premier of the Western Region, as his favourite Nigerian politician, praising his significant contributions to education and broadcasting.
The 79-year-old made this revelation during an interview on Curiosity Made Me Ask, a show hosted by content creator Adebayo Abidemi (popularly known as Isbae U), which was published on Saturday.
Although Edochie emphasized that he is not involved in politics, he expressed deep admiration for Awolowo’s leadership style, particularly his habit of setting clear goals and outlining how he intended to fund and implement his plans. “First of all, I love the Yorubas a lot. One of my sons is married to a Yoruba girl—so you’re my in-law. I’m not into politics, no. But if you ask me who my favourite politician is, I will tell you: Awolowo,” he said.
Explaining his choice, Edochie noted that Awolowo stood out among his peers for his transparency and thoroughness. “You people were not born when Awolowo was in active politics. But Awolowo would tell you, ‘I’m going to build this, it will cost this amount, and here’s where I’ll get the funds.’ No politician has matched that. Outside of Awolowo, only M.I. Okpara in the East comes close.”
Edochie highlighted Awolowo’s introduction of several pioneering initiatives in Nigeria, including the establishment of television and the implementation of free primary education. He recalled the launch of Western Nigeria Television in 1959—the first in Africa—under Awolowo’s leadership. “You would hear, ‘This is WNBC, first in Africa,’ under Awolowo. That was in 1959. Then in 1960, we in the East set up our own station and would say, ‘This is ENBC, second to none.’ We were second to the West, but we didn’t want to admit it—so we said, ‘second to none.’ Awolowo introduced it.”
The actor also commended Awolowo’s free primary education programme in the Western Region, noting that it benefited children regardless of their background. “Awolowo introduced free primary education, and it surprised everyone born in the West at that time. No matter where you came from, you benefited from it.”
Edochie concluded by expressing his regret that Awolowo never became Nigeria’s president. “Whenever I tell people he was my favourite, I always add regrettably he never became president. But he wasn’t someone who made empty promises.
