Why many celebrities have turned into political campaigners

Since the advent of this present dispensation, many celebrities in the entertainment industry suddenly have found love in politics. After a cursory look, one is tempted to ask the rationale behind their wanting to be on the campaign train of politicians? Anthony Ada Abraham, Patience Ivie Ihejirika and Tolulope Aderibigbe write.

For the first time in the history of Nigeria, the ruling party the People’s Democratic Party is facing a daunting task to remain in power beyond 2015 as the major opposition party, All Progressives Congress has put in a serious challenge to rule the nation.

There has been sleepless night in the ruling party because of the pound for pound campaign going on in the forth coming elections.

Just as the PDP are getting support from some entertainers in the industry, also the APC are not relenting in their efforts in seeking for their own.

Some celebrities have also come out to tell Nigerians not to cast their votes for failure while others have called them ‘hungry men.’

As election draws closer, more Nigerian entertainers are getting involved in politics.

This trend has left observers with the thought of what actually attracts celebrities to politics.

It has also become obvious that these stars flock around politicians for various reasons.

Some opined that whatever reason they are busy campaigning for politicians it’s not far fetched from the ‘Brown Envelope’ syndrome they will get from these politicians when they pay them courtesy visits.

You may recall that the Actor’s Guild of Nigeria (AGN) led by its President Ibinabo Fiberesima, in February 2014, paid a courtesy call on president Goodluck Jonathan at the presidential villa in Abuja and conferred on him, the award of the Grand Patron of their association.

The act which was highly criticised by some Nollywood stars like Mr Ibu, Clarion Chukwura and others, was also described by Nollywood fans as selfish interest on the part of the AGN members and to the detriment of other entertainers.

But Fiberesima denied visiting the president. She said “AGN did not visit the president. There was nothing like that.”

Some would ask if the person they saw during the network news was a ghost or not the association leaders which also prompted the back lash.

Other observers however linked the trend to the $200 million promise made to the industry by the president in 2010.

The money is said to be jointly managed and disbursed by the Bank of Industry (BoI) and the Nigerian Export-Import (NEXIM) bank.

The AGN president also confirmed that the fund was being accessed by entertainers. According to her, “I know a lot of people have accessed the fund and a lot of people have gone on training through the scheme which is the Project Art Nollywood.”

She however dismissed the claim that they were campaigning for financial reasons, saying every Nigerian has the right to campaign and vote for whoever they wish.

“I have the right to campaign for any body. I personally respect and believe in President Goodluck Jonathan, so it is my choice” she explained.

However, why a host of entertainers are campaigning for the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) others have joined the campaign for APC.

Just recently, popular Nigerian artistes, including Olu Maintain, DJ Jimmy Jatt, Skales, Azadus, Praiz and others were said to have been hosted by Buhari’s supporters.

Other entertainer including Terry G, Kenny Saint Best,Olamide, Yemi Alade, Dammy Krane, Gbenga Adeyinka, Omo Akin, Desmond Elliott, Uti Nwachukwu, Funke Akindele, Ice Prince, MI, Banky W, Olamide and Kayswitch have also joined the APC campaign train.

Meanwhile, observers have hinted that most of these entertainers who have turned campaigners may end up not even voting as some of them may not even be in the country during the elections.

Popular musician, Olamide aka ‘badoo’ publicist also stated that in terms of celebrities like Olamide and Yemi Alade campaigning for the All Progressive Congress (APC) is just an endorsement, like those done by MTN, Airtel and Globacom because of the followership and fans these celebrities have on their trail.

So the companies can have their brands and products purchased by artistes fans.

Entertainers like Clarion Chukwurah, Mr Ibu have frown against the act of celebrities been endorsed by politicians.

Entertainers are always busy campaigning for the president and whenever they are sick the government they tend to promote still abandoned them nor help to assist them with money for treatment.

Daddy Showkey was at the presidential villa in Abuja on Sunday to pay a visit to President Jonathan and confirmed his support to the presidential campaign.

An entertainer who doesn’t want his name on print asked “Why should I campaign for anyone when there are lots of questions that have not gotten an answer. Where are the refineries? What about the crude oil sale suplus? What about the investigations into NNPC remittance of insufficient funds into the nation’s account? Wat about the SURE P embezzlement allegations?.” The list is endless. I’m not Pro Buhari but I am pro-change,let’s shake up the establishment” he advised.

Nigerians are worried that entertainers are only after the immediate benefit they could get From politicians not minding what the generality of the the country could face when such is done. But they are still hopeful that entertainers involvement in politics would bring about positive change in the entertainment industry and in the country at large.

Leadership newspaper