No doubt, there is a paradigm shift in the Nigerian political space. This could be said to have been informed by the call for youth inclusion in governance ahead of the 2023 general elections. The shift is most notable in the entertainment space, as a plethora of celebrities are now delving into politics, and some have become successful candidates. This piece highlights five Nigerian celebrities who are political candidates for different offices ahead of the 2023 elections.
Funke Akindele
Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Funke Akindele, has been named the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy governorship candidate of Lagos State.
With this position, she had become the running mate of the PDP Lagos State governorship candidate, Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor.
While confirming her position, the actress revealed that she has suspended her acting career to focus on her new political aspiration.
Banky W
Actor and singer, Bankole Wellington, popularly known as Banky W won the PDP primary ticket for the Eti-Osa constituency in the Federal House of Representatives ahead of the 2023 general election.
It was a double win for the singer, as he was earlier declared the winner in the first primary election, but the result slip showed his challenger, Sam Aiboni, as the winner.
Following the controversy, another primary was conducted after two weeks and Banky W won again, polling 24 votes out of 29 votes cast by the delegates.
Desmond Elliot
Actor Desmond Elliot, who is currently representing Surulere Constituency I in the Lagos State House of Assembly, won the All Progressives Congress ticket for a third term.
In the primary held in May 2023, Elliot polled 30 votes as the sole contestant for the ticket.
Elliot contested and won the Surulere Constituency 1 seat at the general election on April 11, 2015. His nomination by APC for a second term came unopposed, as did his nomination for a third term.
Ned Nwoko
Popular businessman and politician Ned Nwoko clinched the Peoples Democratic Party senatorial ticket for the Delta North district ahead of the 2023 general elections.
To celebrate his win, the politician splashed over N10m on his staff, as he gifted N100,000 each to over 100 members of his staff.
Nwoko is married to a famous Nigerian actress, Regina Daniels, and they have two sons together.
Odi Okojie
Husband of actress Mercy Johnson, Odi Okojie, won the All Progressives Congress ticket for a House of Representatives seat for Edo State.
With his win, Okojie emerged as the candidate for the Esan North East/ South East federal constituency ahead of the 2023 general elections. Okojie married Mercy Johnson in 2011 and they have four children together.
Tonto Dikeh
A popular Nollywood actress, Tonto Dikeh, emerged as the deputy governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the forthcoming 2023 general election in Rivers State. The ADC governorship candidate in the state, Tonte Ibraye, disclosed this in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page.
At a press conference in Abuja, Tonto Dikeh disclosed that governance and the democratic system of Nigeria were yet to meet international standards, explaining further that she would work out ‘modalities’ with Mr Tonte Ibraye to move the state forward.
