​Why Awolowo Remains My Ultimate Nigerian Politician — Pete Edochie

​Veteran Nollywood icon Pete Edochie has singled out the late Premier of the defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, as his all-time favourite Nigerian politician, citing his unmatched financial transparency, visionary policies, and structural legacy.

​Speaking candidly during an appearance on the popular web interview show Curiosity Made Me Ask, hosted by content creator Adebayo Abidemi, popularly known as Isbae U, the legendary actor confessed a deep admiration for the Yoruba leader despite maintaining a general detachment from active politics.

​“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,” Edochie stated during the session.

​The veteran actor emphasized that Awolowo stood shoulder-above his contemporaries due to a rare brand of pragmatic leadership anchored on clear planning and fiscal accountability. According to Edochie, the statesman never made empty declarations, instead detailing the exact blueprints and funding mechanisms for every infrastructural objective he pursued.

​“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 has been no politician to achieve that,” he remarked.

​Edochie also highlighted Awolowo’s pioneering role in shaping modern Nigeria’s socio-economic landscape, crediting him with sweeping milestones that predated widespread national modernization. He noted that the Western Region leader brought television broadcasting to Nigeria in 1959—a technological wave that quickly extended to the Eastern Region by 1960—alongside the introduction of revolutionary free primary education policies that served citizens uniformly, irrespective of their ethnic backgrounds.

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​Reflecting on these monumental contributions, the 79-year-old screen legend expressed enduring disappointment that the visionary leader never assumed the presidency of the country. “Regrettably, he never became president,” Edochie lamented.

​Beyond political commentary, the revered actor used the platform to celebrate his profound fondness for the Yoruba culture, playfully noting family ties that bind him to the region. “I love the Yorubas a lot; one of my sons is married to a Yoruba girl,” he shared.

​Edochie also took a nostalgic look back at his illustrious career in the performing arts, reminding fans that his journey on stage predated the formal commercialization and naming of Nollywood in 1992. Tracing his artistic roots back to his teenage years, he recalled starring in a production of The Merchant of Venice in 1962 at the age of 15, establishing a legacy that has continuously drawn international acclaim.