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Ahead of 2015 general elections, the atomsphere is
charged with more Nollywood stars declaring interests
in vying for elective positions in the country.
While many have described this move as a welcome
development, others say it’s a waste of time, resources
and energy, on the part of the movie stars.
But whatever may be the case, there is an urgent need to
ascertain whether the influx of entertainers into politics
will help in reshaping the future of the country.
Already, Nigerians are clamouring for change which
will definitely usher in a ‘new breed’ of politicans that
would be saddled with the responsibility of re-writing
the history of this country. And with these crop of
Nollywood stars vying for elective positions in the land,
the desired change may not be unattainable after all.
One is aware that there has been an exisiting
relationship between the movie industry and national
politics. In the United States of America, Hollywood stars
played a vital role in shaping the future of that
country.
Through their compelling larger-than-life cinema
presence, likes of Charlie Chaplin, Louis B. Mayer,
Edward G. Robinson, George Murphy, former President
Ronald Reagan, Harry Belafonte, Jane Fonda, Charlton
Heston, Warren Beatty, and Arnold Schwarzenegger, all
brought their overpowering influences on American
politics.
From actor and senator George Murphy, who tutored
Eisenhower on camera-friendliness before the 1952
election; and Reagan, who understood better than
anyone concerning the power of a simple message
genially delivered, to Arnold Schwarzenegger, who
learned all his lessons by heart using the power of
celebrity, the politics of image over substance has been
rooted in American politics. It’s also desirable to
replicate the same in Nigeria with the emergence of
Nollywood stars in politics.
As pointed out by one time president of the Actors Guild
of Nigeria (AGN), Segun Arinze, the influx of movie stars
into politics is healthy for the industry and the nation
at large. “It is good for the industry and the country at
large.
And I think they will do well. Someone who decides to
run or come into an office knows why he or she decided
to run for that office in the first place. I don’t think they
are going into politics for the money. I’m not going to be
one of the people who would come out and say they are
going into politics for the money. But they are going
there to positively affect society,”Arinze said.
Prominent among these movie stars-turned-politicians
are Offiong Kate Henshaw, veteran actor Jibola Dibo,
actor-turned-lawyer,Keneth Okonkwo, Desmond Elliot,
Funke Adesiyan, Bob Manuel Udokwo, Tony Muonagor
popularly called Tony One week. Others are comedian
and singer Julius Agwu, Anthony Olanrewaju Awotoye
a.k.a Tony Tetuila and Kenny Saint Best (KSB).
While Kate Henshaw is contesting for the Federal House
of Representatives for Calabar Munical/Odukpani
Federal Constituency under the PDP platform, Jibola
who is known for his ‘Sugar daddy’ roles, is also
contesting for the Federal House of Representatives for
Owo/Ose Federal Constituency in Ondo State.
Desmond Elliot, popular for his roles in movies like
Games Women Play, Reloaded, Finding Mercy, and
Wind of Glory is contesting for a seat in the Lagos State
House of Assembly under the the All Progressive Congress
(APC) platform just as Yemi Solade, award-winning TV
series, Super Story star, is contesting for a seat in the
Senate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress
(APC) in Lagos State.
Also, Bob Manuel Udokwo who is currently the Senior
Special Adviser on Nollywood and entertainment to
Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano will have his
colleague, Tony Muonagor a.k.a Tony One Week, an
incumbent member of the state’s House of Assembly to
beat in order to clinch the ticket to represent Idemili
North at the Anambra State House of Assembly.
Actor-turned lawyer, Kenneth Okonkwo, only last week
picked PDP nomination form wants to represent
Nsukka/Igboeze South Federal Constituency at the
National Assembly. He’s known for his role in the
movie, Living in Bondage. Actresss Funke Adesiyan is
equally contesting for the seat of the Ibadan South-East
constituency in Oyo State House of Assembly.
Meanwhile, looking at the credentials of these movie
stars, political pundits believe that they are not only
going to bask in their fame as movie stars, they will
also work hard as politicians to bring about the desired
change in the country as they have done on their screen
careers.
For instance, Kate Henshaw was quoted as saying: “I
have no money to share, and I’m not entering politics
for the purpose of financial gain, instead I will “push”
myself to better the country.”
Like Kate Henshaw, Abolore Akande, a.k.a 9ice,
explained that he was going into politics to make a
difference and impact on the lives of the people.
According to him, God has blessed him before he went
into politics.
Desmond Elliot suddenly remembered to emphasize his
Yoruba name to further endear himself to Lagosians,
promising that if voted into office, he would not renege
in his promise to impact positively on the lives of the
people of the state.
From all indications, the stars are like the beacon of
hope for the country. But with the present political
climate, how far can these stars go in actualising their
political ambitions?
Inasmuch as many have expressed the fear of the
unknown, predicting that combining acting with
politics would be somewhat tasking, the stars’ ultimate
vision is to entrench the world they want to see and are
willing to work to usher in that desired change in
society.
THE VANGUARD
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