2023: Nollywood stars beat Kannywood colleagues in contesting elective seats

Members of the entertainment industry in Nigeria, which comprises largely of Kannywood and Nollywood, are gradually becoming more active in politics. Apart from conventional politicking, they also play crucial roles, especially during campaigns.

Recently, it was reported that Davido played a vital role in ensuring the victory of PDP in Osun election, while Portable was also involved in campaigning for the APC.

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The entertainers use jingles, songs and short dramas to campaign for their candidates.

Daily Trust Saturday findings revealed that Nollywood actors are more into mainstream politics, with many stars contesting elective positions in the upcoming election, than Kannywood stars.

Kannywood played a vital role in bringing President Muhammadu Buhari into power in 2015 and 2019.

With 2023 around the corner, the stars have since started preparations to identify with their candidates before campaigns begin.

Kannywood can boast of some visible achievements, but most largely donations from political officers they have helped in one way or the other.

Most visible is the donations from Governor Yahaya Bello through Producer Abdul Amart, and that of Dauda Kahutu Rarara which he got from many APC governors.

Nollywood actors contesting elections

Funke Akindele 

For the first time, a leading political party has identified with the entertainment industry by picking an actor, Funke Akindele, as a running mate to PDP’s governorship candidate in Lagos State, Dr Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor.

Tonto Dikeh

Tonto Dikeh was unveiled as the running mate of Tonte Ibraye, the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in the 2023 Rivers State governorship election.

Talking about her involvement in politics, the controversial actress said in an interview that she is ready for whatever will come her way during the election processes.

Banky W

Nigerian singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician Olubankole Wellington aka Banky W is the candidate for Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives on the platform of the PDP.

Desmond Elliot

Desmond Elliot is another politician that will be contesting for the third time to represent Surulere 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Kannywood stars in active politics

Whereas Nollywood stars are contesting many elective positions, Kannywood stars are comfortable being just campaigners.

The most visible Kannywood star who vied for an elective position is Producer Naziru Auwal, also known as Naziru Dan Hajiya.

Naziru contested the Kano State House of Assembly election, to represent Kura/Garun Malam constituency.

He was later asked to step down after a reconciliation committee sat with him and the other aspirant.

Another candidate who showed interest in contesting in the upcoming election is Lawal Ahmad, the popular actor of the most viewed Hausa web series, “Izzar so’, but could not make it past the primary election.

So far, the only candidate who can be said to be the representative of Kannywood in the upcoming election is Bashir Danladi Datti, who will contest for a seat in the Plateau State House of Assembly to represent the people of Jos North in the 2023 general elections under the umbrella of the PDP.

Why Kannywood stars are not contesting election – Naziru

Speaking on why Kannywood stars are not contesting elections, Naziru Dan Hajiya said most of them prefer to campaign for others.

“You see, I contested, and I campaigned in all the nooks and crannies of my constituency. I saw for myself how it is and what it takes, and I thank God from the acceptance I got from my people. If not for the committee that asked I stepped down, I was sure of victory, but as a loyal party man, I had to step down.

“Most of our people prefer to join the campaign trail of other politicians, get cash and other donations to help the industry and the artiste, but they don’t want to fully participate by contesting elective position. To them, they just want to get something for the industry, not knowing that they will help the industry more if they are elected,” said Dan Hajiya.

On his own part, Bashir said he is sure of victory at the general election. “Since my victory at the primary elections, more people are joining our team. It is obvious my popularity is helping me already, and I hope and pray I will win the election.”