The Influx of Nigerian entertainers into politics
The Nigerian entertainment industry is indeed a force to reckon with in the world. Our creative artistes have not only carved a niche for themselves, but have also made the industry viable and lucrative for everyone who has the passion to partake in it and savour the fame and fortune.
In our political terrain, we have had the likes of Richard Mofe-Damijo, Tony One week, Oke Bakassi, Hilda Dokubo being given appointments to serve their different states and in their stints recorded successes in the various offices they held.
As we approach the 2015 elections, Nigerian entertainers have indicated interests in different positions to serve their fatherland. The likes of Julius Agwu contesting for the post of the governor of Rivers state (who has since withdrawn), Desmond Elliot (Lagos State House of Assembly Surulere Constituency), Abolore Akande a.k.a 9ice (House of Assembly Ogbomosho North/South Orire Constituence Oyo), Daniel Chibuzor a.k.a Dan D’ Humourous (comedian) (House of Assembly Ikweme Constituency), Kate Henshaw (Federal House of Representative Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency), Bob Manuel Idokwu (Anambra State House of Assembly Idemli North) and a host of others who will in the future declare their political interests .
The pertinent question now is; can these entertainers replicate their successes in their chosen fields in a monetized Nigerian political terrain. Politics in Nigeria has become a lucrative business which people go to any length to ensure that they achieve their goals, corruption and god-fatherism have taken centre stage.
Posterity will determine if these creative and talented entertainers would be given the platforms to revolutionize our polity meaningfully. Are Nigerians also ready to embrace change? There is a need for re-orientation of voters because there is a mindset that highest bidder in terms of money shared should be elected.
Can these entertainers vying for these positions give us the dividends of democracy if given the opportunity? Would they not just join the bandwagon of politicians who often make empty promises and when elected begin to amass so much wealth for themselves and their unborn generation?
By Anthony Amenaghawon, Naijalog reporter