Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, several music, film, and comedy stars are working to ensure that their preferred presidential candidates are elected. However, some of the biggest names appear to be undecided.
According to the DAILY POST, the majority of celebrities who have expressed an interest in the upcoming presidential election are either supporting the All Progressives Congress, APC, flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, or the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi.
Some of the celebrities were visible at recent Obi and Tinubu rallies in Lagos State.
Despite a warning issued by the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) leadership on September 24 declaring that its members endorsing political candidates are not representing the interests of the organization, many actors have continued to sell their candidates.
Prior to the primary elections, Nollywood actors John Ikechukwu Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, Harry B Anyanwu, and others endorsed the former Lagos State governor.
A video on social media showed the duo openly rallying support for Tinubu, saying he has made a significant impact on people and deserves to be President of Nigeria.
Ibu, the comic actor, was seen with Peter Obi at a rally in Jos, Plateau State, a few months ago, also drumming up support for the former Anambra Governor.
Several actors, including Zark Orji, Jide Kosoko, Gentle Jack, and about 21 others, were named to the ruling party’s 422-member Presidential Campaign Council.
Similarly, veteran Nollywood actors Kanayo O. Kanayo and Kenneth Okonkwo, among others, have declared support for Labour Party candidate Peter Obi.
P-Peter Square’s and Paul Okoye, as well as other music stars, have openly declared their support for Obi, and they are continuing to mobilize support for him.
Aside from singer and DMW boss David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, who played a significant role in Ademola Adeleke’s recent election as Osun State Governor, some top celebrities have remained silent, including Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2face, Tiwa Savage, Ayodeji Balogun, known as Wizkid, and others.
Also, notable movie stars, including, Nkem Owoh, Yul and Peter Edochie, Ramsey Nouah, Mercy Johnson, Patience Ozokwor, popularly known as Mama G and several others seem to be working underground for their preferred candidates.
However, an Abuja-based music producer, John K., who spoke to DAILY POST on Thursday, said Davido may be working for Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
“Davido is a PDP supporter and we don’t expect him to be working for a candidate of another party. He is very close to Atiku and he can’t leave him for another candidate,” he said.
Mr John called on Nigerians to ensure that they vote intelligently in 2023, stressing that any mistake by the electorate may cost the nation another four years of stagnation.
“For me, I am Obidient but I pray we don’t vote for the wrong people this time because Nigeria can’t afford to make that mistake again. It is time to take back our country”, he said.