Why Awolowo is my favourite politician – Pete Edochie

Veteran Nigerian actor Pete Edochie has identified the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as his favourite Nigerian politician, praising the former Western Region premier for his approach to governance and his contributions to education and broadcasting.

Edochie, 79, spoke about his admiration for Awolowo during an interview on Curiosity Made Me Ask, hosted by content creator Adebayo Abidemi, popularly known as Isbae U. The interview was published on Saturday.

Although the actor said he had no interest in partisan politics, he singled out Awolowo when asked to name the Nigerian politician he admired most.

“First of all, I love the Yorubas a lot. One of my sons is married to a Yoruba girl, I didn’t tell you that, so you’re my in-law. I’m not into politics, no. But, if you ask me who is or was my favorite politician, I will tell you Awolowo,” he said.

Explaining his choice, Edochie said Awolowo stood out because he was known for setting specific objectives and explaining how the projects he proposed would be financed.

“You people were not born when Awolowo was in active politics. But Awolowo will tell you, ‘I’m going to build this thing. It will cost certain amount, and this is where I’m going to get it.’ There has been no politician to achieve that, no. Outside Awolowo, then M.I. Okpara in the East,” the actor said.

Edochie particularly highlighted Awolowo’s role in the development of television broadcasting in Nigeria.

He recalled that Western Nigeria Television, WNTV, was established in 1959 under Awolowo’s leadership, describing it as a landmark achievement that preceded the establishment of television broadcasting in the Eastern Region.

“Which is why Awolowo introduced a lot of things in Nigeria that were not there previously. Awolowo brought television into Nigeria,” he said.

According to Edochie, the Western Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation’s television service became a major source of pride in the region.

“He did. Then you would hear, ‘This is WNBC, first in Africa,’ under Awolowo. That was in 1959,” he recalled.

The actor also pointed to Awolowo’s free primary education policy in the former Western Region as another reason for his admiration.

He said the programme opened access to education to children irrespective of their place of origin.

“Awolowo introduced free primary education. And he surprised everybody who was born then in the West. No matter where you came from, you benefited from it, you know?” Edochie said.

He also expressed regret that Awolowo never became Nigeria’s president despite his prominent role in the country’s political history.

“So, on a couple of occasions, when I tell people that this man was my favorite, regrettably, he never became the president of the country, right? But he wasn’t somebody who would invest so much energy promising,” he said.