By Gbenga Bada and Adedayo Odulaja
It is no longer news that several players in the Nigerian entertainment industry have signified their interest in contesting for elective positions in the country. From Nollywood to comedy and music, a number of entertainers have come out to say they are ready to put their money where their mouths are.
For them, staking the goodwill they believe they enjoy from the people may lead to votes that will catapult them to the positions they seek.
The history of entertainers getting involved with politics began with late Fela Anikulapo Kuti, popularly called Abami Eda who sought to rule Nigeria as president. But whichever way one looks at it, Fela’s decision.
Having taken successful regimes to the cleaners repeatedly for mismanagement, incompetence, theft, corruption and more, he formed his own political party, the Movement of the People (MOP) which never got registered though for obvious reasons.
Since then, many had toyed with the idea with very few successful in their attempts.
On the global scene, figures like Clint Eastwood who became Mayor of Carmel, Jerry Spring who emerged Mayor of Cincinnati, Arnold Schwarzednegger who ruled as Governor of California and Ronald Reagan cannot be forgotten.
Early entertainers turned politicians
Only Tony Muonagor (Tony One Week) and Rotimi Makinde are the frontline entertainers to have successfully become elected public office holders in Nigeria.
One legend who has tried and failed before is singer and actress Onyeka Onwenu, who lost her bid for Local Council Chairman of Idea to Local Government in Imo State.
However, the list of entertainers who have been appointed into political offices is understandably longer, From Victor Uwaifo (Commissioner for Tourism and Culture), Richard Mofe-Damijo (Special Adviser and now Commissioner for Culture and Arts in Delta State), Hilda Dokubo, Okey Bakassi, Bob Manuel Udokwu, Nkiru Sylvanus, Onyeka Onwenu, Kanayo O. Kanayo and a few others
Federal House of Representatives hopefuls
Leading the group of entertainers going into politics is Alexander Abolore Ajifolajifaola Akande, better known as 9ice. The gangling singer, whose ‘Gongo Aso’ track remains one of the most popular songs of the 2000’s, hinted at his desire to go into politics during the nationwide Subsidy protests of January 2012.
While many thought 9ice, raised in Bariga and moulded by ID Cabasa’s Coded Tunes, was joking at the time or speaking based on the euphoria of the moment, recent events has made them change their minds. The young man has not only joined the All Progressives Congress, the political party ruling but all but one of the six states in the Southwest, but has gone ahead to print posters and gone on campaign trips to the Ogbomoso North/South/Orire Federal Constituency he hopes to represent in the Federal House of Representatives.
9ice, whose latest musical efforts came via a double album – CNN & GRA – released earlier this year, is not the only entertainer plotting to occupy a seat in the Green Chambers of the House of Reps.
Kate Henshaw
Offiong Kate Henshaw is one of Nigeria’s leading actresses and a 2008 winner of the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) among several other awards, but the 43-year old is also gunning for a seat in the Federal House of Representatives in Abuja.
In her case, Henshaw, whose aspiration was unveiled on www.campaign.ng, a youth-focused advocacy website on July 19, the day she turned 43 years old, is seeking to represent the Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency in her native Cross River State, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Jibola Dabo
Actor, Jibola Dabo is another showbiz person taking to the political lane.
The bearded actor has revealed his desire to represent Owo/Ose Federal Constituency in Ondo State, although the House of Representatives hopeful is yet to reveal the party on which platform he hopes to achieve his aim.
‘I’m not quitting (acting), I’m just taking a break to give back to the people, because I’ve realised that the industry has taken me to a particular peak. Giving back is not going to be easy from that industry, but if I’m part of a voice, I can better develop the industry and give back to the community,’ he said recently on his plan to go into partisan politics.
Rotimi Makinde
A popular actor in the Yoruba section of Nollywood, Rotimi Makinde Mikail has had the word ‘Honourable’ attached to his name since 2011.
A member of the 7th National Assembly on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, he once said: ‘Many people see me as a film actor rather than a trained accountant that just picked acting as hobby…I worked for the NNPC for 20 years as a senior accountant and I’m still collecting my pension till today. When I voluntarily resigned from the lucrative job to join politics, my colleagues and managers thought something was wrong with my brain. I told them I had a call from my people to represent them at the national assembly in Abuja. They all wished me well and the rest is history now. I have never disappointed them all till today. Glory be to God.’
Now late legendary comic, Gbenga Adeboye, who was his senior at Oranmiyan Grammar School in Ile-Ife, introduced Makinde to the movie industry.
His first movie was in 1995; titled ‘Ohun Eniyan’ and he had acted in over 200 films before joining politics, representing Ife Federal Constituency in the House of Reps.
House of Assembly gladiators
Kenny Saint Best might just be a gospel act to many for several years now, but the singer and manager at Kennis Music has decided to throw her hat in the ring. Not only has KSB, as she is better known, unveiled a poster as further statement of her intent, she has chosen to pitch her tent with the All Progressives Congress as she seeks a seat at the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Ikeja Constituency 01, covering the entire Onigbongbo area in Lagos.
Desmond Elliot
If you are one of those who thought Nollywood actor and director, Desmond Elliot is from the eastern part of the country, think again: he is a bonafide Lagosian.
Born to a Yoruba father and an Igbo mother, his full name is Desmond Olushola Elliot and he is a 2003 Economics graduate of the Lagos State University, married with four children.
The award-winning actor, who has featured in over 200 movies and several television series, is seeking membership of the Lagos State House of Assembly set to convene in 2015.
He has already unveiled the All Progressives Party as his political party and is gunning for the LAHA complex through the Surulere Constituency. He says parts of his programme include a sports development initiative, a widows’ aid programme, healthcare for the elderly, healthcare for nursing mothers and children, town hall meetings and an open door/feedback initiative.
Tony One Week
Tony Muonagor is a Nigerian musician who has also been in some Nollywood movies. Of more relevance is the fact that Tony One week, as he is popularly known, emerged a member of the 5th session of the Anambra State House of Assembly.
Muonagor, who returned to the music scene with ‘Ifedimma,’ a song featuring 2face Idibia last year, represents Idemili North State Constituency and was elected the house’s Minority Leader in 2011, a position he has kept till now.
Dan D’Humourous
Just last month, comedian Dan D’Humorous unveiled a poster to announce his intention to run for a seat at the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Shared on his Instagram page, Dan said he aims to represent the Ikwerre Constituency, although he is yet to reveal the party through which he hopes to achieve his ambition.
Funke Adesiyan
Another notable actress in the Yoruba section of the Nigerian movie industry, Adesiyan has had her share of scandal in the past.
But she seems ready to take on more responsibilities, with her desire to represent the people of Ibadan in the Oyo State House of Assembly.
Rilwan Onilegbale
A member of the popular Odunfa caucus, an important set up in the Yoruba section of Nollywood, Onilegbale wants a seat at the Lagos House of Assembly and he aims to represent Lagos Mainland 1 Constituency.
He has already joined the PDP and hopes to fly the party’s ticket in the 2015 general elections.
Bob Manuel Udokwu
Currently Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State on Nollywood and Entertainment, Bob Manuel Udokwu is an actor who recently disclosed his interest in politics. Having tasted the pudding through his political appointment, it looks like Udokwu can’t look back as he seeks to represent the Idemili North Constituency at the Anambra State House of Assembly on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA).
Bob Udokwu, who is from Ogidi, the same town as late literary legend, Chinua Achebe, is seemingly looking to replace Tony One Week, who is expected to run for another 4-year term at the Anambra State House of Assembly.
With Tony One Week hailing from Obosi, a town in Idemili Local Government, analysts believe the contest is mainly between Muonagor, who is of the APC, and Udokwu.
Rumoured entertainers eyeing political seats
Among entertainers that have been rumoured to be ready to delve into politics in the past, the names of Fuji king, Alhaji Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (K1); veteran actor, Prince Jide Kosoko and Adewale Ayuba, feature often.
In the case of K1, sources say the Fuji king of decades is the sole decider of who gets the ticket of the Lagos State House of Assembly’s Oshodi/Isolo Constituency II, currently occupied by Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet.
The Edge as entertainers
The selling point of the entertainers lie in their ability to command a large following among the people who may be too star-struck to say no to them, either when they hold their campaign rallies and during the elections.
Aside this, some of the entertainers have been at the forefront of singing the praises and hobnobbing with some of the political party leaders.
While 9ice is known to have done conscious songs that appealed to the public, Kate has been vocal on social media and attracted more followership.
Their likely opponents
9ice is set to face off with Hon. Mulikat Akande Adeola of the PDP, who is the incumbent as far as Ogbomosho/North/South/Orire Federal Constituency is concerned. Elected into the House of Representatives in 2007 and re-elected in 2011, Hon Adeola is a lawyer, and the Gongo Aso singer faces an uphill task displacing the two-time member, whose party backed him to emerge as the House of Reps speaker, before other members thwarted the move.
With the PDP becoming less popular by the day, 9ice might have a chance, but that is if he is able to get the APC ticket for the 2015 general elections.
Opposition in the primaries faces Desmond Elliot with the current chief whip of the house, Razaq Balogun, who is also seeking another bid after emerging winner in 2011.
In her case, Kate Henshaw will challenge Hon Nkoyo Toyo, who currently occupies the Calabar Municipality/Odukpani Federal Constituency seat on the platform of the PDP. A lawyer and former ambassador to Ethiopia, Toyo will prove a formidable opponent for the Nollywood actress, especially when one considers the intrigues at play during party primaries.
Gospel music act, Kenny Saint Best is eyeing a seat at the Lagos State House of Assembly, which is currently occupied by the speaker of the house, Rt. Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji. Although Ikuforiji is widely rumoured to be eyeing the governorship seat next year, it is still a daunting task for KSB, as the speaker, as politicians do, will probably be interested in who takes over from him, if he doesn’t return.
Rilwan Onilegbale is faced with the challenge of unseating prince Bashir Oloto, who belongs to the All Progressives Congress.
On his part, Jibola Dabo will challenge the incumbent occupier of the Owo/Ose Federal Constituency, Hon. Omosule Eniolorunda. Olorunda, a 51-year old Labour Party chieftain is a first term House of Representatives member representing the very seat Jibola Dabo is eyeing.
For Rilwan and Dabo, they are contesting against personalities, who are richer and belong to the ruling parties of their respective states.
The daunting odds
For the entertainers, most of whom are in the race partly due to the popularity they enjoy, and the star power they have at their disposal, a big challenge is the lack of a financial ‘war chest’ many politicians have.
Most of those they count among their backers are likely to support fellow moneybags or career politicians when push comes to shove, especially during the primaries.
Another major impediment is their lack of experience, which is all too glaring in the way many of them are playing the political game. Many of the entertainers have only recently started unveiling banners and posters, without having done the necessary consultations with their constituents.
In this regard, only 9ice has actually travelled to address a number of young people in the area he hopes to represent.