Entertainers who have ventured into politics

Nigerian entertainers have taken the leap and are showing their leadership skills in the political space. While these amazing actors have warmed their way into our hearts through role interpretation in movies, these stars have also decided to make the country a better place through politics. Daily Trust highlights some Nigerian entertainers who have ventured into politics.

Caroline Hutchings

Earlier in the week, Nollywood actress, Caroline Hutchings also known as Caroline Danjuma was announced as the running mate of Mr Iboro Otu, for the 2023 gubernatorial election in Akwa Ibom state, under the African Action Congress (AAC). 

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The actress joins the likes of Nollywood stars, Funke Akindele, and Tonto Dikeh, to emerge as deputy governorship candidates in the forthcoming 2023 election.

Moreso, the actress is the deputy governorship candidate on the political platform created by the Nigerian journalist and social crusader, Omoyele Sowore.

In 2004, legendary Nigerian filmmaker, the late Chico Ejiro, through Rita Dominic, introduced Hutchings to the Nigerian film industry and she featured in the film, Deadly Care. 

She starred in other successful films like; Deadly Kiss (2004), Missing Angel (2004), The Captor (2006), Foreign Affairs, Real Love, The Twist, A Second Time and The Beast and the Angel. Her latest film is Stalker, co-starring Jim Iyke and Nse Ikpe Etim. 

In August 2017, she was honoured for her advocacy programs centred around building capacities for Nigerian youths by a Pan-African organization.

Funke Akindele

It came as a shock to many when the Lagos State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party announced actress Funke Akindele as the running mate to governorship candidate, Dr Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor.

The mother of twin boys began her acting career as a child actor. She came into the limelight after starring in the popular United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)-sponsored sitcom ‘I Need to Know’, which ran from 1998 to 2002.  In the sitcom, she played the role of Bisi, a curious but highly intelligent secondary school student. 

Funke Akindele’s big break came in 2008 when she produced and starred in the movie, Jenifa, which earned her the nickname, Jenifa.  The iconic actress played the lead role in the show, Jenifa’s Diary, for which she was named the Best Actress in a Comedy at the 2016 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards. Also, her movies, the Omo Ghetto trilogy, contributed to her fame.

Banky W

On November 11, 2018, Nigerian singer, rapper, actor, entrepreneur and politician Olubankole Wellington aka Banky W declared his intention to run for the Lagos’ Eti-Osa Federal Constituency seat in Nigeria’s House of Representatives on the platform of the Modern Democratic Party (MDP). 

Bankole Wellington was defeated by Babajide Obanikoro of the All Progressives Congress in the Eti-Osa Federal Constituency elections on February 23, 2019. 

On April 1, 2022, he again proclaimed his desire to run for a House of Representative seat on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, representing Eti-Osa Local Government.

Tonto Dikeh

Not many knew that actress/singer Tonto Dikeh was into politics until she 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.

The mother of one, who is seen by many as a controversial personality, in an interview, stated that she is ready for criticism as she has been appointed as the deputy governor of the ADC in the forthcoming election. 

Tonto’s career in the movie industry started in 2005 when she competed in a reality Television show, The Next Movie Star. Although she didn’t win the contest, she was the first runner-up.

Her stellar performance in the competition helped her gain popularity in the movie industry fast. Shortly after the show ended, she was approached by the producers of the movie ‘Holy Cross’ to star as the lead actress. 

Following a successful acting career, Tonto Dikeh decided to pursue a career in music. Prior to that, she was featured in a music video for Amaco Investments, alongside Patience Ozokwor. She made her music debut by releasing songs like ‘Hi’ and ‘Itz Ova’ featuring Snypa.

Mercy Johnson-Okojie

On March 15, 2017, the Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, appointed Nollywood actress Mercy Johnson as his Senior Special Assistant on entertainment, arts and culture. The appointment took effect on April 1, 2017.

Meanwhile, the actress has stated that she would not be going into partisan politics as she feels she already has enough influence as a filmmaker and an appointee.

The mother of four began her journey into the make-belief world shortly after she finished secondary school. She auditioned for a role in the film ‘The Maid’, and subsequently acted in other movies such as ‘Hustlers’, ‘Baby Oku in America’, and ‘War in the Palace’. 

In 2009, she won an award for Best Supporting Actress at the 2009 Africa Movie Award ceremony for her performance in the movie ‘Live to Remember’, and the Best Actress award at the 2013 Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards for her role in the comedy movie ‘Dumebi, the Dirty Girl’. 

Bob-Manuel Udokwu

Bob-Manuel Udokwu is a veteran Nollywood actor who ran for a House of Assembly seat in Anambra State’s Idemili North Local Government Area in 2015. He was appointed as the Senior Special Assistant on Movie/Entertainment by former Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano.

Ini Edo

Delectable actress Ini Edo was appointed as the Special Adviser on Tourism to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Udom Gabriel Emmanuel, in February 2016. 

Her acting career started in 2003 with her debut in the film ‘Thick Madam’. However, her breakthrough came in 2004 when she acted in World Apart. She has appeared in over 100 films. 

She earned a Best Lead Actress nomination at the 11th Africa Movie Academy Awards for her performance in the movie ‘While you slept’. More so, she has numerous other awards under her belt. 

Richard Mofe-Damijo

Richard Mofe-Damijo, a veteran Nollywood actor, was appointed as the Special Adviser for Culture and Tourism to then-Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan in 2008, and eventually became the Commissioner for Culture and Tourism of Delta State, Nigeria, in 2009. His term expired in 2015.

Kate Henshaw

Kate Henshaw also tested the political waters on July 19, 2014, when she officially unveiled her campaign website as she was aspiring to represent Calabar Municipal/Odukpani Federal constituency under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Sadly, she lost the primary election to Rt. Hon Essien Ayi but was appointed as Special Adviser, Liaison, Lagos by the Cross-River State Governor, Ben Ayade, in December 2015.