Acting politics: World of artistes seeking elective positions

Acting politics: World of artistes seeking elective positions

Like Fela Anikulapo Kuti and Arnold Schwarzenegger of The Terminator fame, several Nigerian artistes want to make a switch from entertainment to politics.  TADE MAKINDE, MOSES ALAO, SEGUN ADEBAYO and SEYI SOKOYA write on the trend.

He was a social crusader, a fighter and afirst grade ‘prisoner’, who was incarcerated for what he believed in. Though, he detested politicians, it was not certain if he did politics. He once made an attempt to serve his people as president but the idea crashed just as it started. Like a prophet without honours in his home, Fela Anikulapo Kuti remained an icon of music for social change. A revivalist of a kind, who not only sought to transform with music but also through the ballots, Fela’s decision to join politics despite a booming musical career is now being followed across the country by music and movie artistes.

Fela Kuti, known for his fiery songs against oppression and military government as well as songs with thematic preoccupations such as corruption, religious deception and the suffering of the people, was the first known Nigerian artiste that made the attempt to cross-carpet from the entertainment limelight to the political circles, with his formation of a political party known as Movement of the People (MOP). Before Fela’s attempt to serve the people, whom he considered oppressed by successive governments or those he described as “Vagabonds in Power” (VIP), the United States of America and the United Kingdom had seen entertainment stars transform into politicians and members of parliament, with US’ 40th president, Ronald Reagan, a star in Hollywood who appeared in more than 50 films. He became California State’s governor in 1966 and later president of the United States.

A more recent example of an entertainment star’s movement into politics is that of the popular actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who starred in several big movies such as Commando, Terminator and Total Recall, among others. Schwarzenegger was California’s governor for seven years.  

Beyond Fela, however, many other performing artistes like Amitabh Bachan, Dhamendra, Govinda in India, among others, have cashed in on their screen popularity to win elections in their countries.

In Nigeria, like every other clime, artistes have begun to signify intentions to cross from the screen ormusic studios to the political arena. In fact, there is an ongoing trend in Nigeria’s politics, with celebrities now expressing interests in elective positions, while some others have become affiliated with politics by virtue of their appointments to serve their country or state in different capacities.

A recent example is the declaration by Abolore Akande, popularly known as 9ice, a hip hop musician who caught the eyes of Nigerians with the deep mixture of Yoruba sayings with hip hop songs blended with trendy rhythms, to contest for the 2015 election into the House of Representatives. If 9ice makes good that claim, he will be following in the footsteps of Rotimi Makinde, who was elected into the House of Representatives in 2011 to represent Ife Federal Constituency. Makinde, Sunday Tribune gathered, might even be seeking re-election.

Makinde, a former staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), it was said to rode on the crest of his popularity as an actor to win the seat into NASS back then.  

Although many believe that 9ice has resorted to politics because he’s no longer a hot commodity in the music industry and wants to cash in on his popularity while he can, especially in Ogbomoso where he hails from, the platform on which he plans to actualise the ambition. If he opts for the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other party, can the artiste face the fire power of former Oyo State governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala and his goddaughter and House Leader, Hon. Mulikat Adeola-Akande, who is believed to be eyeing a third term in office in Ogbomoso Federal Constituency? If he, however, teams up with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), how long can 9ice go in winning over party members to vote for him in the primary?

The Gongo Aso rave, however, is not the only artiste seeking election into political offices. Another artiste said to have joined the political train is veteran actor, Jibola Daboh, whose grey beard and baritone voice in Super Story episodes as well as English and Yoruba Nollywood movies cannot be mistaken for anyone else’s. Although the actor has not publicly declared his intention to run for office, a close associate of the bearded actor said his friend was warming up for the 2015 elections and would contest for the House of Representative slot in Owo, Ondo State. His posters have littered the town despite his keeping mum on his next move, just as it remains within the realm of speculations which party he would use to actualise his ambition. But can he survive the Labour Party tornado in Ondo if he chooses to contest on the platform of other political parties?

Also on the growing list of intending artistes-politicians is Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as K1. His association with the All Progressives Congress (APC) dates back to pre-2011 days, with rumour mill even awashed with insinuations that K1 might take a shot at the Senate. K1 hails from Ijebu Ode, Ogun State but has virtually lived in Lagos all his life. He is even the ‘official musician’ of the ‘progressive’ party and wields considerable influence going by the number of politicians, male and female, that he has helped to realise their ambitions, especially in the Lagos House of Assembly where he was said to have helped no fewer than two people get elected in his Okota, Isolo area.

As 2015 draws near, it will be seen if the musician is truly nursing a political ambition despite several denials that he is not seeking election into any political office.

K1 is also not walking alone, if feelers from Lagos State are things to go by. Former national president, Association of Nigerian Theatre Practitioner (ANTP), Prince Jide Kosoko, has not given up on his ambition to become a member of the House of Representatives, though he has not said anything in that direction.

Way back when he was winding down as ANTP boss, his ambition to go into politics was widely reported before he opted to continue playing the association’s politics with colleagues by leading the charge to see Dele Odule replace him as president. But with the recent decision of an Ibadan High court few weeks ago that Victor Ashaolu is the authentic national president of ANTP, it is left to be seen if the Lagos prince will continue to stay around the association or finally make good his rumoured political ambition.

Until now, many artistes especially from the Niger-Delta area, have since the late 90s been enjoying the political favours, with appointments and patronages from government. Sir Victor Uwaifo, Richard Mofe Damijo, Hildah Dokuboh and Okey Bakassi got political appointments from governors, who had been friends of these celebs. In the case of Bakassi, an office was even created for him just because he was a popular face back then.

For years now, RMD has been constant in the political setting in Delta State as Special Adviser and Commissioner of Culture and Arts. In Edo State, Sir Victor Uwaifo was named Commissioner of Tourism and Culture twice.

Nollywood actress, Nkiru Sylvanus might have returned to Nollywood, her appointment by the Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha, as Special Assistant on Lagos Affairs, would not be forgotten quite easily.

Now that she has returned to her base, she was said to have picked up from where she left and one would imagine if she had really missed anything at all as she has been said to still deliver her  ‘weeping roles’ professionally, reminiscent of her role A cry for help.

The fact still remains that the beautiful actress, who was kidnapped and released shortly after, is still the toast of many home video viewers.

Nollywood actor, Kanayo Kanayo joined the list of movie stars who seemed to be currently reaping the rewards of their hard work in the movie industry, as he was recently announced as the Chairman of National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Studies, a new body that oversees the Nigerian Toursim industry.

The appointment, it is believed, was facilitated by the actor’s close relationship with one of the powerful voices in President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. Kanayo, who yielded to the call of God, few months back, is living his current position up. He’s one of the few successful actors who are beneficiaries of government’s political appointments, especially at the national level.

Adewale Ayuba’s name is not new in the entertainment industry, he has paid his dues over the years and has equally earned the respect he gets today as a consummate performer when it comes to what he describes as classical fuji.

But the news that the KORA award winner is ready to test his popularity in politics in 2015 won’t come so easy to believe. Ayuba, who has for some time now been performing at all the major events of the All Progressives Congress (APC), is believed to be nursing his political ambition on the platform of the party.

Information gathered by Sunday Tribune revealed that Ayuba’s romance with APC lately is not unconnected with the fact that he is warming up for politics in 2015, with his mind set on a House of Representatives or senatorial ticket though, Ayuba, while speaking with Sunday Tribune, distanced himself from the purported rumour. He said he would rather concentrate more on his career that has brought him fame and fortune over the years but couldn’t that be a political statement? Time will tell.

Yoruba movie actor and producer, Saidi Balogun was embroiled in a media war lately with social media bloggers and public commentators over his marital life, which has been a subject of discussion for some time now. But if findings are thing to go by, he might yet be discussed the more, with his purported scheming to go into full-fledged politics in 2015.

The actor’s closeness with Osun State governor, Rauf Aregbesola, who is believed to be the right hand man of the National Leader of the APC, Senator Bola Tinubu, is fuelling the claims in some quarters that Saidi, who first became popular with his roles in the English section of Nollywood before making a successful switch to the Yoruba movie section, might be given a ticket to test his strength in 2015.

Information gathered from a source close to Saidi Balogun is that the actor is currently weighing his options ahead of the 2015 election. But it was also gathered that some top shots of the APC in the South-West are only using Saidi’s face and popularity for electioneering campaigns, after which he would be dropped like every other popular actor that had been used.

Are they attracted by the ostentation and huge financial benefits of political offices or they see their ambitions as avenues to give back to the society? Only them and indeed time can tell but as things stand, more artistes will continue to hobnob with politicians with some of them getting paid and others getting served in the ever-slippery game, which politics is known to be.

But why are the artistes leaving what they know how to do best to join politics? Popular comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka said they, like every other Nigerian, could make the sacrifice for a better Nigeria. According to him, if politics is seen as a means to develop the country and better the lots of the people, whatever trade anyone plies should not debar him from joining in to contribute his quota. He noted that artistes joining politics were trying to show their patriotism and they should not be nailed for doing so, saying “unless we already have a stereotyped mindset on those who can contest elections, everyone from field should be welcome provided they mean well for the country.”

Another comedian, who has never been short of invitations from politicians for being the best at what he does, Ali Baba, noted that artistes were free to join politics, noting that the fact that they were glamorous people from the studios, stages and screens should not undermine their rights as Nigerians.

The legend of performing arts and a former president of ANTP, Jimoh Aliu, who was renowned for the Yoruba television series, Arelu, also told Sunday Tribune that artistes joining politics was not common in the past, noting that Baba Hubert Ogunde was a close associate of Chief Obafemi Awolowo but he did not fully participated in politics. Instead, he said, he assisted Awo with series of dramas to spread his good characters. He, however, said it is a welcome development that entertainers either in the movie or music industry, are shifting their attention towards politics either by fully or partially participating in it because it is also happening abroad.

He added that “inasmuch as their involvement in politics is with a good motive and they will set a good precedent for others to follow, it is good. We have several actors who are making us proud in politics. This shows that we can also contribute positively to our societydespite our God-given talents.”

But can the artistes survive the tricky world of Nigerian politics where even the well-versed are beaten and go down and out? Can they even muster enough strength to survive party politicking before getting to the main election where their popularity with the people could work for them?