Veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie, has identified the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as his favourite Nigerian politician, despite saying he has never been particularly interested in politics.
Edochie made the disclosure while featuring on a recent episode of Curiosity Made Me Ask, hosted by content creator BaeU.
The veteran actor praised Awolowo for what he described as his remarkable contributions to Nigeria’s development, particularly during his time as Premier of the defunct Western Region.
According to Edochie, Awolowo stood out because he openly explained his plans, the cost of implementing them and how he intended to fund them.
“I am not into politics but if you ask me who is or was my favourite politician, I will tell you it is Obafemi Awolowo,” he said.
Edochie argued that the late politician demonstrated an unusual level of transparency in governance.
“Awolowo will tell you, ‘I’m going to build this thing, it will cost so-and-so amount and this is where I’m going to get the money from.’ There is no politician who has achieved that kind of transparency,” he added.
The actor also highlighted Awolowo’s role in introducing television broadcasting and free primary education in the country.
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He recalled that Awolowo brought television to Nigeria in 1959, describing it as the first television service in Africa, while noting that television became available in the Eastern Region the following year.
“Awolowo brought television to Nigeria in 1959. It was the first in Africa. And we in the East started using television in 1960. He also introduced free primary education,” Edochie stated.
However, the actor expressed regret that Awolowo never attained the presidency despite his political career and developmental record.
“Regrettably, he never became president,” he said.