Pete Edochie Names Obafemi Awolowo as His Favourite Nigerian Politician

Veteran Nollywood actor Pete Edochie has revealed the Nigerian politician he admires the most, naming the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo as his favourite politician.

The 79-year-old actor made the revelation during an interview with popular content creator Isbae U on the Curiosity Made Me Ask podcast. The interview, which was published on September 5, 2026, touched on several aspects of Edochie’s life, career, politics and his views about Nigeria.

Although Pete Edochie stated that he is not a politician and does not consider himself interested in politics, he made an exception when asked about the Nigerian political figure he admired most.

According to the veteran actor, his answer was straightforward: Obafemi Awolowo.

Why Pete Edochie Chose Awolowo

Explaining his choice, Pete Edochie said what attracted him to Awolowo was the late politician’s vision and ability to clearly explain his plans.

The actor said Awolowo was different because he would explain what he wanted to accomplish, how much it would cost and where the money to execute the project would come from.

For Edochie, this demonstrated a level of planning and accountability that he believes distinguished Awolowo from many other political figures.

The actor reportedly said that Awolowo would tell people what he intended to build, state the cost and explain how he planned to finance it. Edochie argued that he had not seen another Nigerian politician achieve that in the same manner.

His comments have generated discussions online, with Nigerians revisiting Awolowo’s political legacy and his contributions to the development of the country.

Pete Edochie Praises Awolowo's Contributions

During the interview, Edochie highlighted some of the initiatives associated with Awolowo, particularly in the areas of education and broadcasting.

The veteran actor credited Awolowo with introducing television to Nigeria, referring to the establishment of the Western Nigeria Television service in 1959.

The television service became a major milestone in Nigeria's broadcasting history and is widely recognised as the first television station in Africa.

Edochie recalled that television later reached the Eastern Region, where the Eastern Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation was established in 1960.

The actor also praised Awolowo’s free primary education programme in the Western Region.

According to reports of the interview, Edochie noted that the programme benefited children regardless of where they came from.

Awolowo’s free primary education initiative remains one of the most discussed aspects of his political legacy, particularly because of its impact on access to education in the Western Region.

Edochie Regrets Awolowo Never Became President

While explaining his admiration for the late politician, Pete Edochie also expressed regret that Awolowo never became president of Nigeria.

Awolowo was one of the country's major political figures and contested Nigeria’s presidential elections, but he never occupied the presidency.

For Edochie, this remains one of the disappointing aspects of Nigeria's political history.

The actor suggested that Awolowo was not simply someone who made promises. Instead, he admired him for what he regarded as his ability to set out specific objectives and explain how those objectives would be achieved.

Pete Edochie Speaks About the Yoruba People

During the conversation, Edochie also spoke warmly about the Yoruba people.

The veteran actor said he has great affection for the Yoruba people and mentioned that one of his sons is married to a Yoruba woman.

His comment came while discussing his admiration for Awolowo and the politician's background in the former Western Region.

Edochie’s statement has also attracted attention because of his reputation as one of Nigeria's most respected veteran actors, particularly for his outspoken opinions on national and cultural matters.

Pete Edochie's Long Acting Career

The interview was not only about politics.

Pete Edochie also spoke about his remarkable acting career, stressing that his involvement in the performing arts began long before the Nigerian movie industry became popularly known as Nollywood.

According to the actor, he first appeared in The Merchant of Venice in 1962 when he was just 15 years old.

He therefore emphasised that his acting career predates the emergence of Nollywood as a recognised industry in the 1990s.

Edochie has enjoyed a career spanning several decades and has become one of the most recognisable faces in Nigerian entertainment.

His distinctive voice, acting style and memorable roles have made him a household name across Nigeria and beyond.

During the interview, he also spoke about the international attention his work has received, making a strong claim about foreign visitors travelling to Nigeria specifically to interview him because of one of his films.

Nigerians React to Pete Edochie's Choice

Following the revelation, social media users have been discussing Pete Edochie’s choice of Obafemi Awolowo as his favourite Nigerian politician.

While some people agree with the veteran actor and point to Awolowo’s contributions to education and broadcasting, others have different opinions about Nigeria’s most influential political figures.

Awolowo's legacy has remained a subject of debate among Nigerians for decades, with discussions often focusing on his political ideology, development policies, education programme and role in Nigeria's First Republic.

Pete Edochie's comments have therefore reopened conversations about the country's political history and the legacies of past leaders.

For some Nigerians, the actor's remarks are a reminder of the importance of looking beyond political affiliations and examining the policies and achievements of historical figures.

Final Thoughts

Pete Edochie's revelation has certainly generated conversation, especially because the veteran actor is not widely known for openly identifying himself with contemporary partisan politics.

His admiration for Obafemi Awolowo, however, appears to be based largely on what he described as the late politician’s vision, planning, development initiatives and ability to explain how his proposed projects would be funded.

Whether or not Nigerians agree with Pete Edochie's choice, Awolowo remains one of the most prominent figures in Nigeria's political history.

The actor's comments have once again brought attention to the achievements and controversies surrounding Nigeria's past leaders and have encouraged many people to revisit the country's political history.

What do you think about Pete Edochie's choice of Obafemi Awolowo as his favourite Nigerian politician?

Do you agree with him, or do you believe another Nigerian political figure deserves that title?

Share your thoughts in the comment section.