Nollywood stars, entertainers, and celebrities appear to have distanced themselves from some of their colleagues’ political ambitions, such as Funke Akindele and Tonto Dike.
While Funke Akindele was chosen as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Lagos State, Tonto Dike was chosen as the ADC governorship candidate in Rivers State for the 2023 election.
Akindele and Dike, both veteran movie actresses, are divorced and now single mothers. Tonto married Olakunle Churchill in 2015 and divorced in 2017 following accusations and counter-accusations of domestic violence.
Akindele also divorced earlier this year and immediately declared her intention to enter politics. A few days later, she was announced as the running mate to Abdul-Azeez Adediran, a.k.a. Jandor.
Both actresses have made a flurry of promises to the people of their respective states if elected as deputy governors, but as of now, they are on their own in terms of support from their colleagues.
However, Funke Akindele and Tonto Dike are not the first popular celebrities to enter politics in the hope of changing the country’s political narrative.
The former Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) and political analyst, Dr. Sam Amadi, said cynicism at the prospect of the chance of their colleagues and financial selfish interest have made Nigerian celebrities to distance themselves from the political ambitions of their colleagues.
In his analysis, Dr Amadi, explained the level of competition among professionals, especially in the entertainment sector as most of their earning capacity depends on their profiles.
“Most of these actors and singers depend on politicians and corporate entities for endorsement and oftentimes they are more concerned about what they will benefit. And if they are going to support one of their own, it means they are going to take a position against the more commercially profitable parties that are competing.
“If Funke Akindele wasn’t running, she would probably be supporting Atiku, Tinubu, Peter Obi or some party that has the capacity to pay them for their endorsement, support or other form of advocacy they do for them”, he said.
Most of the celebrities are either supporting the All Progressives Congress, APC, flagbearer, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu or the candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.
However, they have remained mum with regards to their colleagues pursuing one political ambition or the other.