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  • Features
  • Updated: November 03, 2022

2023: Can A Celebrity Become Governor In Nigeria?

2023: Can A Celebrity Become Governor In Nigeria?

Celebrities are among the rare breed who get people’s attention because they are famous and at times, excellent at their craft. 

Lately, they have become agents of mobilisation for political campaigns and electioneering. Will we ever have one of them become the governor of any state in Nigeria?

The likes of Desmond Elliot, Wasiu Ayinde and Abdulrazaq Abdulganniy (Mr GRA) have nurtured or actualised their political ambitions.

But there has never been a year that Nigerian celebrities will gain more steam towards electioneering than the running to 2023.

It is also noteworthy to state that Nigerian celebrities have decided to be more involved in the runnings of the polity after facilitating the mobilisation and support for the EndSARS protest in October 2020.

The P-Square duo has been vociferously supportive of the candidacy of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

At the same time, some Nollywood actors in the southwest have also thrown their weight behind Bola Tinubu’s APC. Not forgetting Yul Edochie’s interest in running for the presidency at some point this year. 

But Funke Akindeke has taken the desire to be part of the process a step higher. She is now the running mate to Olajide Adediran (Jandor), the gubernatorial candidate of the People’s Democratic Party.

This singular action has generated a lot of political talking points, and it begs the question; how relevant are celebrities to election victory in Nigeria?

In Osun state in the last gubernatorial election, famous Nigerian singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido was the face of the campaign.

He used his music and influence to campaign heavily for his uncle and brought many people on his side, especially the youth who love him and his music.

Deji Adeyanju, a socio-political activist, affirmed that politicians are using the new strategy to amass votes. He tasked celebrities to be careful who to pitch their tent with during the election period. 

“These people have voices that can be used positively or negatively, but it depends on how they use it. In Osun, we saw a good application of Davido.

“We are also seeing a shift where politicians are now using artists and celebrities to influence people, sometimes it can be positive, and others it can be negative.

"Stars and influential voices should be mindful of how they affect voters because voting has consequences, and we have seen it in 2015 and 2019", Adeynju told Daily Post recently.

Kudirat Soremi, popularly called Iya No Network, also recently said in an interview that because celebrities are open-minded, it is difficult for any political actor to overlook them because they know they have people who trust them and would love what the celebrities love.

Ojo Olayinka was a gubernatorial candidate in Oyo state in 2019. He explained that every political candidate with worthy ambition would try every legitimate friendly means to get the voters’ support.

Therefore, celebrities are very crucial to electoral victory. 

The overhyped influence

But when the PDP deputy gubernatorial candidate recently appeared in a live interview, she referenced her hundreds of thousands of social media followers as viable assets for her party and principal to clinch the Lagos gubernatorial seat next year. 

The APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu stated that it is an insult to be talking about Funke Akindele’s candidacy in the mix of Lagos politics.

However, one would ask, are these celebrities only good for mobilisation and not for office?

No one will ever dispute that these celebrities are suitable for mobilisation but their merit to be on the ballot is a topic that will divide opinions.

We mean that we agreed that Davido was a pivotal pillar to Ademola Adeleke’s victory in Osun state, but could he amass that same support if he was on the ballot for the election himself?

Olamide (a popular rapper) dropped tracks for Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 on the eve of the election. But how viable would he be on the ballot himself?

Why celebrities may not be ripe for executive positions in Nigeria

It is worth explaining that because some of them are already getting the big pay from their mobilisation and crowd gathering, they are disinterested in the prospect of running themselves.

 Funke Akindele was announced as Jandor’s running mate a few days after separation from her husband.

Because the lives of the celebrity are constantly in the public domain, running for political office with many scandals could be politically catastrophic, as it looks to be playing out with Jenifa.

Some of these celebrities’ approaches to issues are sometimes violent and barbaric. Therefore, it will take more than watching controversial pranks to convince an enlightened Nigerian to vote for a star.

Conclusion

In all honesty, our celebrities have been doing a great job at their different crafts.

They have even lifted the unhappiest person with a heart of stone at the most difficult moments and helped politicians to get votes.

But to win an election at this stage might come too soon for any of them in Nigeria.

Therefore, judging by what Nigeria's political terrain speaks of this present age, it might be impossible for Nigerian celebrities to assume prestigious executive positions like governors and presidents unless they back off from scandals and other politically poisonous behaviours associated with them.

That might cost them the governorship position in Nigeria. 

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