BY Ada Igboanugo
The 2015 elections promise to be hotter than expected, judging by the influx of Nigerian entertainers into the political space.
Entertainers in the industry have been noticed to be venturing into politics, but that didn’t start this year – only that this year’s trend has probably been made popular by the increasing use of social media as a means of communication.
Entertainers have been known or noticed to pick a second option of politics rather than other paths, either their careers are peaking or nosediving. Those who have done it were either appointed as experts in their act to advise the government, or they campaigned and they were voted for.
After popular international act, Arnold Schwarzenegger, contested for and was elected the governor of California in 2003, he was again reelected for a second term in 2006. This must have emboldened Nigerian entertainers, such as Tony One Week who succeeded and Onyeka Onwenu whose media mode of campaign didn’t quite work. Others who were appointed based on expertise are Victor Osuagwu, Hilda Dokuboh, Richard Mofe Damijo, Nkiru Sylvanus, etc.
This trend has encouraged other newer entertainers to make a move into parliament. Earlier, it was reported that Julius Agwu didn’t think starting small was fair enough. He instead aimed for the larger portion by announcing he would run for governorship in his home state. Perhaps comedy isn’t doing or fetching as much as he wants, he’d rather the fattest and biggest bone.
Another artiste who, no one would have guessed would take such serious things to heart following his different controversies is 9ice. But he recently announced his ambition to run for seat in the House of Representatives. He has even gone through the trouble of returning to school to major in Law in order to fulfill this ambition. His music success rate had a climax and a harsh drop, as well as the drama that followed suit. What’s to say his newfound hobby won’t be the same?
Even Kate Henshaw is allegedly looking to run as well – though it was revealed she announced hers honorably. No pun intended.
Though none of the entrants has officially announced the party he/she would belong to, all of them are putting into good use their popularity on social media, as even 9ice announced his ambition (with pictures and a message on Instagram) of running for seat in the Ogbomosho north constituency’.
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