Nigerian celebrities appear to be playing active roles in sensitizing fellow citizens to decide who becomes the country’s next president as preparations for the 2023 elections continue to heat up, Charmingpro reports.
The majority of openly declared supporters are divided between Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Atiku Abubakar, former vice president and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Some of these entertainers have declared their support for a specific candidate in order to sensitize and encourage fellow Nigerians to go out and get their Permanent Voter’s Card (PVC). Davido, Wizkid, Burna Boy, Simi, and Tiwa Savage, on the other hand, have yet to publicly declare their support.
Some South-South and South-Eastern entertainers, including Psquare, Phyno, Flavour, Ruggedman, Chidi Mokeme, Kate Henshaw, Okey Bakassi, Noble Igwe, Tacha, Charlyboy, Eldee, Ikechukwu, Samklef, Daddy Freeze, and others, are rallying support for Peter Obi on social media platforms.
“I like the substance-based campaign he’s running, I admire his courage and principles….waiting for his next move,” Bakassi wrote in support of Obi.
The Psquare brothers are so invested in Peter Obi’s campaign that they have organized a Coalition for Peter Obi’s Peace Concert on August 8.
According to reports, the Psquare brothers will be leading a group of South East entertainers to the event to show their support for Obi.
Peter Okoye took to Twitter on July 8 after Obi announced his running mate, writing, “We are Fully Obedient and Yusful.” God bless our incoming Federal Republic of Nigeria President (Obi) and Vice President. We are YUSful in every way.”
A tribal war is likely because it is believed that some celebrities from the South West have decided to vote for Atiku or Tinubu, while those from the South East will vote for Obi.
Although some celebrities from the South-West have yet to declare their support for Tinubu, it has been reported that some of them are making silent moves in support of Tinubu.
Among the many candidates from various political parties, many people, including prominent celebrities, support Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress presidential candidate (APC).
Brymo, a popular Nigerian singer, became a trending topic on Twitter after openly declaring his support for All Progressives Congress presidential aspirant Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2023 election.
The singer, who referred to Tinubu as a “city boy,” stated that the APC chieftain is the only presidential candidate with a strategy for the country.
Brymo urged critics to stop judging Tinubu based on his age and instead consider his previous experience as governor of Lagos State.
“However, we all know Tinubu is the one with a plan.” Allow a city boy (Tinubu) to be president for a change!” Brymo replied
Nollywood actor John Okafor (Mr Ibu), along with colleagues Foluke Daramola, Harry Anyanwu, and Benedict Johnson, publicly declared support for Tinubu’s presidential ambition in November 2021, but received backlash from fans who kicked against recycling old politicians in 2023 due to the nation’s dwindling state.
They were joined in June 2022 by some Nollywood stars under the League of Actors, including Fausat Balogun, Jide Kosoko, Yinka Quadri, Taiwo Hassan, Faithia Williams, Femi Adebayo, Sola Kosoko, and Saheed Balogun, who expressed their support for Tinubu in a viral video.
Gbenga Adeyinka, Eniola Badmus, Brymo, Jide Kosoko, Ogogo, Toyin Adegbola aka Toyin Tomato, Lateef Adedimeji, Fausat Balogun, and Yinka Quadri are among the celebrities who have endorsed Tinubu’s candidacy.
It is unclear which celebrities are supporting PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, as most have yet to publicly express their support for fear of fan backlash. However, as the election approaches, we are confident that more celebrities will join the train.
In the run-up to the 2015 election, notable celebrities and entertainers such as Mike Ezuronye, D’banj, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Seyi Shay, Toyin Abraham, KCee, Bovi, Seyi Law, Duncan Mighty, Gordons, Timi Dakolo, Ini Edo, Patience Ozokwor, Onyeka Owenu, and Bob Manuel Udokwu drew public attention to President Good
Their endorsements and campaigns had no significant impact on the election, as President Muhammadu Buhari defeated Goodluck Jonathan.
Would Peter Obi, who appears to have a lot of social media talk from his followers “Obidients,” face the same fate in 2023?
Although the election appears to have divided the creative industry, it is unlikely that their popularity and influence would compel voters to accept whomever they have endorsed.
According to some Nigerians who spoke to Charmingpro, celebrities are becoming more money and fame conscious, and they do whatever they want because they will smile to the bank after receiving their share of the largesse bestowed upon them by the various candidates.
“Politicians’ associations with celebrities will not sway my vote.” I am aware of the impact celebrities have had on the country, but many Nigerians do not share their economic status. “I doubt that a Nigerian experiencing hardship in this country will allow prominent people who may have received cash payments to change their minds about their preferred candidate,” Ebuka Solomon said.
Patience is a young person. Mokwe stated that the 2023 election will be a watershed moment for the country, and several Nigerian celebrities who have endorsed Atiku and Tinubu have not stated why. Nigerians may support the candidates they like if genuine reasons are provided.
“With the insecurity issues in this country, I don’t think any Nigerian will allow celebrities to endorse anyone for them,” Babatunde Ayoola said. Aren’t we sick of everything that’s going on in this country? People have been kidnapped in trains and on the road. Do these celebrities use these modes of transportation alongside us? “Why should people who don’t understand our situation make decisions for us?” he questioned.
