Five top Kannywood actors who contested political offices but lost

Kannywood is a bubbling movie industry in Northern Nigeria and one of the largest in the country.

The industry has produced many great minds. A lot of Kannywood stars have ventured into other areas of life to probably test their popularity beyond the screen.

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In this piece, Daily Trust takes a look at five Kannywood who went into politics.

HAMISU IYANTAMA

The gifted actor, scriptwriter and producer, Hamisu Lamido Iyantama, is one of the pioneers of the industry. He remains a household name till date.

The founder of Iyantama Multimedia contested for gubernatorial position in Kano State in 2007 under the platform of ND.

But Malam Ibrahim Shekarau of the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) won the election that year.

ALASAN KWALLE

Kwalle is another celebrity and a leading figure in the industry. In 2007, the actor contested for chairmanship position under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ungogo Local Government of Kano State, but ended up a running mate.

In 2015, he contested for councillorship in Bachirawa ward in Ungogo LG under the Platform of APC.

In a chat with Daily Trust, Kwalle express desire to re-contest in future elections.

He said, “I’m planning to contest for the position of member Kano State House of Assembly, even though I have not decided in what political party.”

NURA HUSSAIN

Just like some of his colleagues, Hussain, a prominent actor in Kannywood, has a taste for politics.

In 2007, he ran for councillorship in Yakasai in Kano Municipal Local Government.

ABBA EL-MUSTAPHA

Popularly known as Abba Ruda, Abba El-Mustapha is one of the oldest in the industry.

In 2015, he contested a House of Representatives seat on the platform of PDP but lost.

LAWAN AHMAD

The ever-shining star in the industry, Ahmad, once contested for a political office in Katsina State. He sought the ticket of the APC for the office of a member Katsina House of Assembly but failed to win the political party’s ticket.