Celebrities bought party forms in the 2023 election to run for elective posts in Nigeria’s political arena in a bid to change the country’s direction. For some, the pull of politics has proved too irresistible, prompting them to throw their hats in the ring and run for public office. While some have been successful, others have not been so lucky. In this article, EDWIN USOBOH looks at celebrities who, despite their popularity, failed to achieve electoral victories
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The Nigerian singer and actor has lost two consecutive elections. In 2019, he ran under the Modern Democratic Party (MDP) platform for the House of Representatives seat in the Eti-Osa constituency of Lagos state. Despite being considered a strong contender, he ultimately lost the election to All Progressive Congress (APC) candidate Musiliu Obanikoro. He ran again that year for the same position, but lost to Labor Party’s Thadeus Attah. Speaking at The Water Brooks church, the ‘Ebutte Metta’ singer expressed his disappointment at losing the election. The politician said he had made plans to celebrate his “highly-anticipated win”. In the message, titled “Faith after a Fall,” the singer said the loss won’t stop him from praising God. “God said is it just faith when you win? Because the truth is, your belief in God doesn’t stop you from hurting. But it helps you heal and it helps you deal with it,” he said.
Spark Akindele
The popular Nollywood actress Funke Akindele, also known as Jenifa, is one of the celebrities who could not win the election. She ran for the seat of Deputy Governor of Lagos State under the umbrella of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). However, she was unsuccessful in her attempt to represent the state, losing to incumbent governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Akindele and Adediran AbdulAzeez (Jandor), the PDP gubernatorial candidate, garnered a total of 62,449 votes and finished a distant third place in the election. Responding to the election on her social media profile, more specifically Twitter, she said: “I’m glad we were at least able to speak up. Thank you again Lagos for supporting your daughter. As I consider my next steps in life, I will continue to prioritize the good of people and the integrity of my position as people’s advocate. Eko oni baye!”
Olumide Oworu
This year, the Nigerian actor, best known for his role in the television series The Johnsons, ran for a seat in the House of Representatives to represent the Surulere I constituency in Lagos state under the Labor Party (LP) platform . However, his attempt to secure the seat was unsuccessful. He lost to incumbent Desmond Elliott of the APC, another celebrity. However, it was later revealed that Olumide was not on the ballot. Instead, a Mr. Bode Adebayo on the LP ballot who ran for Surulere constituency 1 was not the young actor.
Caroline Danjuma
According to the results announced by INEC, Umo Eno of the People’s Democratic Party won the gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom, where actress and reality TV star Caroline Danjuma ran for deputy governor. The film star was contested on the African Action Congress (AAC) platform, with her headmaster Iboro Otu finishing a distant sixth place. PDP’s Umo Eno received the most votes, Young Progressive Party candidate Albert Bassey came second, and APC’s Akanimo Udofia was third. In a statement, the party said Danjuma was selected as a running mate because of her “exemplary life, love for humanity, leadership qualities and dedication to the betterment of Akwa Ibom communities.”
Tuoyo Ideh
Another young public figure who contested a political position in the 2023 election is Tuoyo Ideh. The reality TV star contested for the House of Representatives, Warri Federal constituency, and lost. Tuoyo, appears in the popular reality show Africa Must Watch, Big Brother Naija’s tag Pepper Dem in Season 4
Femi branch
Veteran Nollywood actor Femi Branch was the Deputy Governor candidate for Ogun State alongside Tofunmi Ogunronbi under the National Rescue Movement (NRM) party. The party of the Femi branch came in 12th place in the gubernatorial elections in Ogun state. It was a blast. Femi began his acting career in 1991 at Obafemi Awolowo University. In the same year he appeared in a Yoruba play entitled Eniyan. He later starred in a film called Orisun, which means origin. His first television appearance was in a 2003 MTN Group television commercial titled “Dance With Me.” Since then he has acted in over 100 Nigerian films, some of which he has produced and directed himself.
Tonto Dikeh
Another outstanding Nollywood actress whose participation in the 2023 election caused a lot of excitement was Tonto Dikeh who, with her headmistress Tonte Ibraye, inspired a lot of hope after her declaration for the Rivers state election. However, the controversial film star dashed fans’ hopes of doing whatever they could to vote for her when she and her principal announced they were stepping down in favor of APC nominee Tonye Cole. Tonto, who is also a musician and songwriter, has been involved in many controversies, from her divorce from ex-husband Churchill Olakunle in 2017 to a messy split with her ex-lover Prince Kpokpogiri in 2021. She hails from Ikwerre, Abio -Okpa, Rivers State, Nigeria. She is the founder of the Tonto Dikeh Foundation, established in August 2000 with the aim of helping the less privileged.
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In 2015, the singer-songwriter ran for a seat in the House of Representatives to represent Ogbomosho North/South/Oriire State Constituency in Oyo State. Unfortunately, he lost in the Oyo state primary to a formidable opponent, Prince Akeem Oyewumi, son of the Soun of Ogbomoso, of the All Progressives Congress party.
Kate Henshaw
In 2014, Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw also lost her ticket to represent the Calabar South federal constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the party primary held in the state. After the primary, she took to her Twitter account to address her loss with dignity, admitting it was free and fair while congratulating the winner.
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