By Ibrahim Ayandare
The influence of celebrities on Nigerian politics is a topic of much debate and discussion. While some argue that celebrities bring a much-needed level of excitement and attention to politics, others believe that their involvement can be harmful to the political process.
One of the main effects of celebrities in Nigerian politics is their ability to attract attention and mobilize voters. Voter mobilization is contestable. Celebrities in Nigeria have a large following and can use their influence to encourage their fans to vote for or support a particular candidate. This can be especially effective in youth demography.
However, some critics argue that the involvement of celebrities in politics can be harmful. They argue that celebrities may not have a deep understanding of the issues and may use their influence to promote candidates who are not qualified or are not the best choice for the job. There are also concerns that celebrities may be used as puppets by political parties, who can use their influence to sway voters without providing any meaningful solutions to the myriad of problems facing the country.
Another effect of celebrity involvement in Nigerian politics is the blurring of lines between entertainment and politics. In some cases, celebrities may use their platform to promote their brand or career, rather than engage in serious political discourse. This can lead to a lack of focus on the issues and a decrease in the overall quality of political discourse.
Let’s discuss their ambitions and challenges in politics.
Funke Akindele:
Funke Akindele is a Nigerian actress, producer, and director who contested as the deputy governor of Lagos State under the PDP political party with Abdul-Azeez Adediran aka Jandor. Her candidacy brought agility to women in politics, as it encouraged them to participate in the process. Although their party lost to the incumbent governor of Lagos State, Sanwo Olu, Funke Akindele’s candidacy meant a lot to women in politics. Unfortunately, she lost her polling unit to APC’s Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Desmond Elliot:
Desmond Olusola Elliot, a Nigerian artist, contested for the post of Lagos State House of Assembly under the APC party. He won in Surulere with 17,837 votes, defeating his closest rival, Adebayo Bode of the Labour Party. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared him the winner of the state Assembly election held last Saturday.
Banky W:
Bankole Williams, popularly known as Banky W, a songwriter and singer, contested under PDP for Eti-Osa Federal Constituency, House of representatives. He lost to Thadeus Attah of the Labour Party.
It was disappointing for all the celebrities who contested political positions in the 2023 elections. Only Desmond Elliot won and was re-elected amongst his colleagues who contested during the polls. These celebrities have shown that they are not just interested in the entertainment industry but also care about the development of the country. Their interest in politics is however commendable. Their participation in politics however begs the question, Is popularity enough to win political seats?
