“Street take over” seem not to just be an indigenous phrase anymore as the youths are actually taking over when it comes to politics in Nigeria.
Nigerian celebrities seem to be very active when it comes to politics in Nigeria. Here are 12 Nigerian celebrities who are active in politics;
1. Oluwashola Desmond Elliott (ODE)
Desmond Elliot is a Nigerian Actor, Director and Politician who has starred in over two hundred films and a number of television shows and Soap Operas.
In September 2004, Desmond Elliot declared his intentions to run for Lagos State House of Assembly under the All Progressive Congress (APC). To the shock of everyone, he contested and won the Surulere Constituency in the 11th April, 2015 Nigerian Elections. Desmond Elliot is presently seeking a third term as state legislator representing Surulere Constituency 1.
2. Olubankole Wellington
Olubankole Wellington, popularly known by his stage name Banky W and credited in film as Banky Wellington, is a Nigerian-American singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician.
Wellington earned the title of a politician when he announced his intentions to run for the Lagos Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives on the 11th November 2018 from the Modern Democratic Party which was created in 2017.
Wellington lost the election on 23rd February 2019 to Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressive Congress (APC).
Wellington announced that he had absquatulated from the Modern Democratic Party to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of 2023 general election, to run for the same political position. Banky W won the Peoples Democratic Party Ticket in June 2022 as the party bearer for the Eti Isa Constituency.
3. 9ice
Alexander Abolore Adegbola Akande, popularly known as 9ice is a Nigerian Musician, Dancer and Songwriter.
In 2015, the Gongo Aso crooner joined All Progressive Congress (APC), and contested for the ticket of the party for Ogbomosho Federal Constituency in Oyo State. Although, he lost at the primaries.
However, 9ice was appointed as the Special Adviser to the Former Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi, on Youth matters.
4. Tonto Dikeh
Tonto Charity Dikeh is a Nigerian Actress, Singer, Songwriter and Humanitarian.
The Nollywood Actress received her Certificate of Return as the running mate to Tonte Ibraye, the party bearer on the African Democratic Congress ADC, in Rivers State on the 25th June 2022, ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The Controversial Actress disclosed to her fans that she has taken a political bold step to accept the Deputy Governorship slot under the platform of ADC.
5. Richard Mofe Damijo
Richard Eyimofe Evans Mofe- Damijo, popularly known as RMD, is a Nigerian Actor, Writer, Lawyer, Producer and former Journalist.
In 2008, RMD was appointed as the Special Adviser of Culture and Tourism by the former Governor of Delta State, Emmanuel Uduaghan. In 2009, he became the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism of Delta State. In 2015, his tenure ended.
6. Funke Akindele
Akindele-Bello Olufunke, popularly known as Funke Akindele or Jenifa is a Nigerian Actress and Producer.
The Nollywood Actress was picked by the Lagos Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as his running mate ahead of the 2023 general election.
Funke Akindele was officially revealed on 12th July 2022 in Ikorodu, her hometown. In her speech, she stated that she would pause her acting career to go into politics.
She said:
“I’m going to put asidey acting career now to give Lagosians the opportunity of a better life.”
7. Mercy Johnson- Okojie
Mercy Johnson Okojie is a Nigerian Actress. The popular actress was appointed by the Governor of Kogi State as the Senior Special Assistant (SSA) on Entertainment, Arts and Culture On 14th March, 2017.
8. Bob- Manuel Udokwu
Bob-Manuel Obidimma Udokwu is a Veteran Nigerian actor, director, producer and politician.
In 2015, he contested the position of House of Assembly of Anambra State for the Idemili North Local Government Area.
On 19th April 2022, he was appointed as the Special Adviser on Entertainment, Leisure and Tourism by the Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Soludo.
9. Femi Adebayo
Femi Adeboye Salami is a Nigerian film Actor, Director, Producer and Lawyer.
He was appointed the Special Assistant on Culture and Tourism to Kwara State by the then Governor, Abdulfatah Ahmed.
10. Kate Henshaw
Kate Henshaw, also known as Kate Henshaw- Nutall is a Veteran Nigerian Actress.
The Nollywood Actress on 19th July 2014, unveiled her campaign website as she aspired to represent Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform. Kate Henshaw lost the primary election to Rt. Hon Essien Ayi.
On December 2015, she was appointed the Special Adviser Liaison Lagos by Governor Ben Ayade, the then Governor of Cross River State.
11. Yul Edochie
Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie made his intention to run for presidential election come 2023 months ago after he responded to a post made by disc jockey, Dj big N.
Dj big N who took to his Facebook page to state that it’s 14 months to election and youths don’t have a representative.
However, Yul replied the post making his intentions known, he wrote;
“My dear brother @djbign I saw your post about the youth not presenting a candidate yet.Thanks for your concern, my name is Yul Edochie I’m running for president come 2023 and I made my intentions known months ago. I would appreciate your support “.
However, he took to his Instagram page few months back to drop out of his presidential race.
12. Davido
Nigerian Singer, David Adedeji Adeleke popularly known as Davido Rocks PDP Agbada For Osun State PDP Grande Finale Rally in support of his uncle, Adeleke who is running for Governor of Osun State.
Davido who have shown his support in politics in different occasions as in 2018 he declared Governor Wike his godfather and promised that he will help in the reelection of the governor.
Governor Wike is currently the governor of River State.
