Pete Edochie Names Awolowo as His Favourite Nigerian Politician

Nollywood veteran Pete Edochie has revealed that the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo remains his favourite Nigerian politician, describing him as a leader whose vision translated into major developmental initiatives.

The actor spoke during an interview with Isbae U on the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast, where he discussed his views on politics, his admiration for the Yoruba people and his extensive career in the entertainment industry.

“I love the Yorubas a lot, one of my sons is married to a Yoruba girl,” Edochie said.

Despite stating that he does not consider himself a political person, the veteran actor said Awolowo stood out among Nigerian politicians because of his ability to present detailed plans and explain how they would be funded.

“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.

Explaining his admiration for the former Western Region premier, Edochie said Awolowo was able to outline both the cost of his proposed projects and the sources of funding.

“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.

Edochie said Awolowo’s contributions included the introduction of television in Nigeria 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.

The veteran actor lamented that Awolowo never became president of Nigeria.

“Regrettably, he never became president,” Edochie said.

Reflecting on his own career, Edochie noted that he had been acting for decades before the term Nollywood was introduced in 1992.

“I started acting before Nollywood was created in 1992. I first appeared in The Merchant of Venice in 1962 at the age of 15,” he said.

He also claimed that one of his films attracted international attention, saying foreigners travelled to Nigeria specifically to interview him.

“I’m the only person who has done a film that made white people fly in to Nigeria just to interview me. Nobody has achieved that,” Edochie said.

Africans Angle News