Afrigather 
Folks from completely different walks of life participated within the lately concluded common elections, and entertainers weren’t neglected. Religion Ajayi takes a take a look at the entertainers that ran for various places of work, and the way they fared
Banky W
Olubankole Wellington, popularly referred to as Banky W, is a singer, actor, entrepreneur, and extra lately, a politician. It was a nice shock for a lot of when, on November 11, 2018, he introduced his intention to contest the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Home of Representatives, on the platform of the Fashionable Democratic Social gathering, which was shaped in 2017.
The leisure persona finally misplaced the election to Babajide Obanikoro, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress.
Banky W later ditched the MDP, and joined the Peoples Democratic Social gathering, the place he secured the ticket to contest the identical seat.
Nevertheless, regardless of his spirited marketing campaign, he misplaced to the candidate of the Labour Social gathering, Thaddeus Attah.
Although many individuals have been rooting for him to win, the singer accepted his loss in good religion. In an interview after the end result was declared, Banky W stated, “I really feel very grateful, even in defeat, due to the issues we have been in a position to accomplish.”
Funke Akindele
An actress, filmmaker and politician, Olufunke Akindele-Bello, popularly referred to as Jenifa, is undoubtedly a preferred face within the leisure trade.
Nevertheless, she received into a brand new terrain when she was nominated by the PDP’s gubernatorial candidate in Lagos State, Olajide Adediran, aka Jandor, to be his operating mate within the 2023 election.
In justifying her nomination, Jandor maintained that the actress would add extra worth to his candidacy.
Whereas accepting her nomination, Akindele, had in a now deleted Instagram put up, stated, “I’m not unaware of the price of this task on my vibrant profession, which I have to now essentially placed on maintain. It’s a big private sacrifice. My resolve is that no sacrifice is simply too big for the actualisation of the pressing mission to rescue our folks and our expensive state.”
In an interview with The PUNCH, the entertainer had additionally acknowledged that her final film, ‘Battle on Buka Avenue’, was like a farewell. She stated, “As a result of I’m going to be the subsequent Deputy Governor of Lagos State, I’m passing the baton to the brand new ones, as a result of we have to give them alternatives. I can be within the background to advise and supervise them, however allow us to have fun them. Are you not bored with seeing previous faces?”
Nevertheless, the Jandor and Akindele misplaced the election to the incumbent governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the APC.
Femi Department
An actor, director and producer, Femi Department, started his profession within the leisure trade whereas he was a pupil of Dramatic Arts on the Obafemi Awolowo College, Ile Ife, Osun State, in 1991. That very same 12 months, he featured in a Yoruba stage play titled, ‘Eniyan’. He has since appeared in over 100 movies, a few of which he produced and directed.
Forward of the 2023 elections, Department was named the operating mate to the Ogun State gubernatorial candidate of Nationwide Rescue Motion Social gathering, Tofunmi Ogunronbi.
Ogunronbi acknowledged that he picked the Ogun State-born actor as a result of he believed that he would add extra worth to his candidacy, contemplating his vocal stance towards unhealthy governance and social injustice.
He added that his operating mate had a transparent understanding of the duty forward, and the necessity to work with a co-visionary with a shared ardour for the emancipation of the great folks of the state.
The duo finally misplaced the election to the incumbent, Governor Dapo Abiodun, although Department believed that the method was not free and truthful.
Taking to his Instagram web page, he alleged that there was partisanship on the polls. He wrote, “It’s the audacity for me! After shopping for (sharing) the voters between themselves, APC and PDP additionally compromised the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee; and the small events are struggling for it. Any candidate declared winner in Ogun State is a fraud.”
He added, “First, (there have been) faux poll papers and after protests lasting over two hours, one other set (of poll papers) was introduced, and we lastly voted; just for them to depend solely APC and PDP votes.”
Tonto Dikeh
Actress-turned-politician, Tonto Dikeh, was the Rivers State deputy governorship candidate on the platform of the African Democratic Congress. She was a operating mate to Tonte Ibraye.
Nevertheless, Dikeh didn’t finally check her reputation on the polls, as shortly earlier than the election, she and Ibraye endorsed and supported the candidate of the APC, Tonye Cole.
Taking to her Instagram web page a day earlier than the election, she wrote, “Having fastidiously listened to the recommendation of elders and political leaders in Rivers State on the necessity for the opposition to look inwards and current a unified, competent and customarily acceptable candidate with the capability to win the gubernatorial elections, and the necessity for the opposition to stop splitting its votes amongst a number of candidates, at the moment, we formally adopted Tonye Cole because the consensus and unifying candidate of the opposition.
“Upon his victory, Tonye Cole will type a unity authorities comprising the APC and different opposition events on this alliance titled, ‘Stronger Collectively for a United Rivers State’. I hereby name on all my supporters to vote for Tonye Cole of the APC this Saturday.”
Nevertheless, the endorsement didn’t finally depend for a lot as Cole was defeated by the candidate of the PDP, Siminialayi Fubara.
After the election, she wrote on Instagram, “Because the 2023 election concludes with a newly elected chief, I wish to urge everybody to make sure we prioritise the peace and prosperity of our darling Rivers State over our feelings.”
Tuoyo Ideh
A former Large Brother Naija contestant, Tuoyo Ideh, contested the Warri Federal Constituency seat of the Home of Representatives, on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance celebration, however misplaced to the PDP’s candidate and incumbent member representing the constituency, Thomas Ereyitomi.
Carolyna Hutchings
An actress and TV actuality star, Carolyna Hutchings, initially signified her intention to contest the Akwa-Ibom governorship place beneath the African Motion Congress, as a operating mate to the governorship candidate, Iboro Otu, however dropped out of the race a day to the election.
In a put up on her Instagram web page, she wrote, “As at the moment marks the tip of our race collectively, I want you the perfect. I pray Akwa Ibom sees the wonderful chief that you’re for the subsequent election. Thanks AAC for the chance. I pray for you a extra structured celebration, with extra nice and younger leaders. Could God information your steps. To those that rooted for me, the race by no means ends, until there is no such thing as a life. We hold it shifting. We stay to struggle one other day. God bless Akwa Ibom,”
The election was finally received by the candidate of the PDP, Umo Eno.
Hilda Dokubo
A veteran actress, activist and youth advocate, Hilda Dokubo, has by no means hidden her help for the Presidential candidate of the Labour Social gathering, Peter Obi. She participated actively within the marketing campaign.
On September 28, 2022, the actress declared her curiosity in contesting the Asalga/Akulga Federal Constituency (Rivers State) within the Home of Representatives beneath the Labour Social gathering.
Nevertheless, she was later appointed the chairman of the celebration in Rivers State.
Recall that Dokubo was as soon as a member of the Peoples Democratic Social gathering, earlier than leaving to affix the Labour Social gathering. At one time, she served because the Particular Adviser on Youth Affairs to a former governor of the state, Peter Odili.
She additionally runs a non-governmental organisation— the Centre for Inventive Arts Training—which makes use of the inventive arts to empower ladies and the youth.
Olumide Oworu
A rising actor, Olumide Oworu, popularly referred to as Tari, introduced his intention to run for the Surulere Constituency 1 seat within the Lagos State Home of Meeting, beneath the Labour Social gathering. In a put up on social media, he wrote, “It’s with a way of honour and responsibility that I announce my candidacy for the Lagos State Home of Meeting— Surulere Constituency 1— on the platform of the Labour Social gathering. The youth of this era in Nigeria are extra politically conscious than ever and are actually striving to have our voices heard and participate within the governance of this nice nation.
“As somebody with a ardour for youth improvement, it’s on this observe that I tender myself in service to enjoying my half within the actualisation of an all-inclusive authorities, the place younger Nigerian intellectuals have an opportunity to make a change by being part of the transfer for the creation of a brand new Nigeria. Thanks in your help. A brand new Nigeria is Attainable.”
Few days to the election, his marketing campaign staff was attacked. He finally misplaced the election to the incumbent and fellow actor, Desmond Elliot.
Desmond Elliot
Actor, Desmond Elliot, has been representing the Surulere Constituency 1 within the Lagos State Home of Meeting on the platform of the APC.
Nevertheless, he courted controversy when he referred to social media customers as ‘kids’ through the #EndSARS protests of October, 2020. Because of this, many youths had lambasted him on social media, with many urging his constituents to vote him out of the meeting through the election.
Nevertheless, he finally received the election. In an appreciation put up, he wrote on social media, “Thanks, Surulere. I commend the worthy effort given by different candidates in different events. I’m glad for the youthful zest you place into the marketing campaign. Please, I’m greater than keen to work with you and share concepts on methods to make our expensive constituency a greater place. I pledge to present my utmost finest at giving succour and reduction to my constituents to the very best of my legislative potential. Thanks. Suru wa a lere ooo.”
